Health Reporter
Tsholotsho district in Matabeleland North is facing a critical shortage of anti-retroviral (ARV) medication, despite having one of the highest populations of people living with HIV in Zimbabwe.
A recent report by the Parliamentary Thematic Committee on HIV and Aids highlighted that Tsholotsho is home to 18,404 individuals living with HIV, including 10,778 women, 5,755 men, and 977 children.
Presenting the report to Parliament, Senator Angeline Tongogara revealed alarming details about the situation in local healthcare facilities.
“Healthcare providers in Tsholotsho reported that they often face limited stocks of ARVs,” Tongogara stated.
“In some cases, they had to repackage their antiretroviral therapy (ART) supplies from three months’ worth per patient down to as little as one week due to low stock levels.”
Tongogara further explained the challenges faced by ART centers, noting that “sometimes these centers have to borrow supplies from one another to meet demand. However, they have not had to turn patients away without medication.”
The report emphasized that ideally, health facilities should maintain a six-month supply of ARVs to adequately support the local population. It also noted that many individuals living with HIV in Tsholotsho often cross borders to countries such as South Africa, Botswana, and Mozambique, complicating their access to treatment.
To combat potential treatment disruptions, health institutions in the area are implementing the Malayitsha Model, which aims to ensure consistent access to medication.
The committee highlighted the logistical difficulties faced by patients, with many having to travel more than 10 kilometers to reach health facilities for medication pick-up and routine check-ups, a factor that may contribute to treatment defaults.
In response to concerns about ARV availability, Tsholotsho South lawmaker Musa Ncube expressed her commitment to improving healthcare access.
“I will admit that initially, villagers had to walk long distances to reach medical facilities, but we are bridging those gaps now,” Ncube explained.
“We have built clinics at Mbamba, Jowa, Inala, and the Chibizela Clinic to better serve our community.”
The Parliamentary committee’s investigation also included visits to other districts such as Mberengwa, Chivi, Guruve, Mutawatawa, and Zvimba, where similar issues regarding ARV shortages were reported.
As the situation develops, stakeholders are urged to take immediate action to address the critical need for anti-retroviral medications in Tsholotsho and surrounding districts to safeguard the health of those living with HIV.
Zim GBC News©2024