KABALE HOSPITAL RUNS OUT OF HIV/AIDS DRUGS,PATIENTS STRANDED

Posted On 15 Nov 2017

By : mk

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By Vanansio Kakogoso

In Kabale–

Kabale regional referral hospital has run out of the second line antiretroviral drugs, living hundreds of people living with HIV stranded.

Second-line antiretroviral therapy achieves durable viral suppression in
three-quarters of patients and is associated with an increase in CD4 cell
count.
One of the patients living with HIV/Aids who talked to our reporter in
Kabale says he has not been able to access the medicine since early this
month. He says the failure to access the drug might have far reached
implications on his life.

Another patient who was found at Kabale hospital stranded said that he
visited Rubaya health centre IV, Rushoroza health centre IV for the drug
but could not get it. She however says unless there is immediate
intervention the drug stock out it will be a big setback on the lives of
members.

The Kabale district Health Officer Sr. Immaculate Mandela says that most of the district health centres also have stockouts. She says despite the fact that the drugs are available in pharmacies; many people living with HIV/Aids can’t afford them. Mandela adds that the stockout has been a national issue adding that they have requested for emergency supply.

The Kabale regional referral Hospital Director Dr Sophie Namasopo says that the hospital has 262 patients using the second line drug. She says that they have been referring the patients to other health units with the drug as they wait for emergence supply they requested for.