Fears grips in over ARV shortages

LINEO MALATALIANA

MASERU – Scores of HIV positive Basotho who collect monthly drug dosages at clinic and hospitals across the country have been left with questions after their clinical dosage for anti-retroviral therapy (ART) treatment were abruptly cut.

This week, a recipient from Baylor College of Medicine Children’s Foundation Lesotho said she was surprised to learn that her usual six-month dose will be cut in half. No explanation whatsoever!

This is scary since Health Minister Selibe Mochoboroane said earlier this year that the country would not face any shortage of ART drugs. Meanwhile the Ministry of Health has released a press statement essentially rubbishing allegations that there is a shortage of ART treatment. In the statement the ministry continues to reassure people living with HIV and the public, ‘there is no need for panic’.

“The Government of Lesotho-MOH has adequate funding resources to ensure that a continuous and consistent supply of the life-saving HIV treatment (ART) is available at all facilities and in communities where HIV treatment is provided,” the statement reads. 

The press release also touches on the fact that no facility in the country that provides HIV services has been shut down as a result of recent fund pausing or termination of HIV Programme on US funding.

 Speaking to the sudden change to ART rationing, the statement stipulates that as from April 14 until further notice “people living with HIV who are clinically stable and reside in the country may be offered and dispensed three months clinical visits and HIV treatment”.

It furthermore adds that people living with HIV who reside outside the country who are unable to attend thee month appointments, may be offered or dispensed 12 month clinical visits and treatment.

“The Ministry Health remains fully committed to addressing all public health concerns and reassures Basotho that HIV treatment will continue to be provided throughout the country,” the statement concludes.

However, the statement does not speak to the concern as to what has led to the change in ART treatment plan which has shortened clinical visits for stable ART recipients in the country and the extended visits for those outside the country.  

The Minister of Health Sedibe Mochoboroane has been in the forefront assuring Basotho that the HIV positive population would not impacted by the suspension of the USAIDS.

Earlier this year, Mochoboroane was quoted as saying that the suspension of USAID will not impact on anti-retroviral therapy (ART) treatment supply as the country ‘has it under control’.

 At the commemoration of World Cancer Day, the minister reassured Basotho that they needed not to worry about the supply of treatment because “the Global Fund and government purchase the treatment.”

 “There are 240 000 Basotho on Antiretroviral drugs. The government buys 73 percent of the drugs with the assistance of Global Fund securing 23 percent. Looking into matters, Global Fund is not affected by the orders,” the minister stated then.

However, operations on the ground paint a different story.

Recently, patients from a number of ART outlets have been complaining that their usual six months’ supply has been cut in half.

This has been done on grounds that there is a shortage in supply.

This begs the question – why the sudden change in ART rationing if there is no shortage that is – if parties responsible for their purchase are not impacted by the suspension of aid.