The Nigerian Village Square - Antiretroviral drugs: The challenge of distribution

Antiretroviral drugs: The challenge of distribution

Written by Preye Dambo

Monday, 17 November 2008

Antiretroviral drugs: The challenge of distribution
By Preye Dambo preyedambo@yahoo.om

So far the success recorded on the issue of the antiretroviral drugs to combat the scourge of HIV/AIDS bedeviling the people cannot be overemphasized. The drugs have in no doubt improved the living condition of those infected, but where these drugs are not accessible the wellbeing of the patients deteriorate the more. As it were, making them available for the majority of patient should be the main concern of the government if an appreciable result is to be achieved.

It must be recalled that in December 2007, only 2.99 million people living with the virus in poor countries were receiving treatment where 9.7 million were infected. However, with this scourge AIDS claming people’s lives, Nigeria life’s expectancy has declined over the years thus making the efforts of the government with regards to distribution of the drugs of no meaningful effect. The increase on the mortality rate traceable to the wicked arm of the HIV/AIDS is not to say that the government through the health ministry and the health related agencies, including the NGOs and the CBOs are not reaching out, but the coverage appeared thin when one consider the number of people infected that have no access to these drugs. In this regards, the challenge posed here seems to be inadequate mapping of how the drugs be channeled.

The major problem is not just obtaining the drugs but distributing them effectively. The places that are far away from the centers are most hit in that the proximity keeps them at a disadvantage. The distribution network appeared awkward or cumbersome due to the availability of fewer centers which are not easily reachable to people with the virus. This is due to the fact that a greater percentage of these people live in isolated vicinities. Distribution outlets are more often jam-packed with people coming from neighboring countries such as Niger, Chad and Cameroon to receive treatment, this makes a lot more difficult for the people. The reach is not sufficient and having foreigners coming to benefit puts the right people at a disadvantage. With this situation prevalent, the drugs automatically can not go round. However, the high demand for these drugs outweighs the supply.

In spite of the effort of the government that seem rather in adequate, a lot more depend on the generality of the people in terms of paying relevant attention to their wellbeing as well. It is very important to sound to the people the need for them to be more careful and be very proactive with regards to the issue of HIV/AIDS. In a situation where a more concerted and consistent education and enlightenment programme are taken to the door steps of the people regardless of location, it is believed that it will go a long way in curbing the spread rather than providing cure.

Victims with the virus depend on the goodwill interventions of the government, non governmental organization, health providers and international donors. Civil society organizations have been effective in reaching some smaller towns and remote areas where large organizations can not. Community Health and Youth Friendly Association (CHAYFA), Hope Initiative an umbrella under association of people living with HIV/AIDS and Aids medicine and diagnostics services (AMDS) whose main aim is to expand access to the quality, treatment and supply of medicine have recorded success in their respective projects.

In this regard, more attention should be given to Preventing mother to child transmission (PMTCT). Report shows that only 7% of pregnant women with the epidemic are receiving treatment. There is a need to do more to prevent mothers from transferring virus to the unborn child. Due to the high demand of blood lost from surgery, childbirth and road accident, the federal ministry of health has advised that only blood from the National Blood Transfusion Services should be used for transfusion. And this must be considered very significant and totally adhered to in order help the effort of the government in finding a lasting solution to the scourge.

However, it is important for people with the virus to continue to take these drugs regularly as recommended by the doctor. For this to be made possible, treatment Programme and centers should be established at each locality for close proximity for patients. Every treatment center should have secure place for storage of drugs, consulting rooms, offices and waiting rooms. Hospitals and health care centers should endeavor to screen blood before transfusion or obtain blood only from the National Blood Transfusion Service as recommended by the health ministry since they have more advanced screening facilities and equipment .Pregnant women with the epidemic should be treated to reduce the risk of transmitting to their unborn child

In Nigeria though, much has been done and more can still be done in tackling this epidemic. It was estimated in 2006 that only 10% of HIV-infected men and women were receiving antiretroviral therapy and in 2007 there was an appreciable increase in the number of people receiving treatment totaling 22%. Unfortunately there was still a high mortality rate of about 170, 000 people traceable to AIDS in 2007.

It is important that the cost of treatment is fully covered for patients that can not afford it since majority of them are low income earners. Collaboration between the government and NGO’s should continue to make antiretroviral (ART’s) not just available but to also monitor the distribution to those that need them.

Preye Dambo

Robot Robot is offline
Villager


	# 1 Antiretroviral drugs: The challenge of distribution By Preye Dambo preyedambo@yahoo.om So far the success recorded on the issue of the antiretroviral drugs to combat the scourge of HIV/AIDS bedeviling the people cannot be overemphasized. The drugs have in no doubt improved the living condition of those infected, but where these drugs are not accessible the wellbeing of the patients deteriorate the more. As it were, making them available for the majority of patient should be the main concern of the government if an appreciable result is to be achieved. It must be recalled that in December 2007, only 2.99 million people living with the virus in poor countries were receiving treatment where 9.7 million were infected. However, with this scourge AIDS claming people’s lives, Nigeria life’s expectancy has declined over the years thus making the efforts of the government with regards to distribution of the drugs of no meaningful effect. The incr...Read the full article. Posted by Robot\| 17.11.2008 23:57

allaccess allaccess is offline
Villager


	# 2 1, HIV is an invention of America, Britain some EU countries and White apartheid south Africans to control the growing rate of black people the world over. -It is a worrying trend that black people (especially) like producing children for the sake of it, when they know full well they lack the resources to feed these kids. Something had to be done globally to protect the west and so a program was setup to "help" black folks reduce their uncontrolled population. 2, Prevention is better than cure; education and awareness is the only way to prevent the infection and spread of the disease, not waiting for people to catch it and then blame the world for not giving them enough drugs or distributing it properly. 3, I blame the spread of the disease of soldiers returning from Liberia and also our prostitute Benin girls. Sugar daddies with backward mentality of not wanting to use condom should not be left out. The South African tribal leader and Mr Mbeki who said refuse to face the reality of the disease account for its high numbers in the African continent. Posted by allaccess\| 18.11.2008 09:18

Last Updated ( Monday, 17 November 2008 )

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