Ceila Morgan, News Editor, Gleaner/ Power 106WITH ONLY three years remaining before the current Global Fund allocation to the Ministry of Health expires, the Government is seeking ways to sustain its treatment of persons living with HIV/AIDS over the long term.
Among the options being considered for long-term sustainability of the programme is greater private sector involvement.
Of the estimated 4,000 persons who currently require treatment for HIV/AIDS in Jamaica, 2,700 are now receiving the life-saving anti-retroviral drugs. The ministry's subsidised treatment programme is being facilitated by a US$23 million allocation from the Global Fund to fight Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and Malaria.
Dr. Kevin Harvey, HIV/AIDS specialist in the Ministry of Health, says 2,200 persons are registered under the ministry's programme in 18 public health institutions while the remaining 500 are being treated at private health facilities. Anti-retrovirals (ARVs) are specific medications used to prevent HIV from damaging the immune system. HIV attacks CD4 cells that play a major role in maintaining the body's immune system.
"Persons living with HIV/AIDS, (PLWHAs) who have CD4 cell counts of less than 200 are usually recommended for anti-retroviral therapy as they are prone to infections such as tuberculosis, septicaemia and pneumonia," Dr. Harvey told The Sunday Gleaner.
Persons accessing treatment at public health institutions are required to pay $1,000.00
for a triple combination of
drugs monthly, while at private health facilities the cost could range between $5,000.00 and
$25, 000.00.
According to Dr. Harvey, only about five per cent of persons on anti-retroviral therapy can afford to pay. He, however, pointed out that provisions are made for these persons to receive treatment. And while acknowledging the improvement in the availability of ARVs, HIV/AIDS consultant Ian McNight has pointed to several challenges faced by PLWHAs in accessing the drugs.
MAJOR ISSUES
Affordability of the drugs, food, as well as stigma associated with the disease, are among the major issues according to Mr. McNight. Compliance with treatment regimen, along with intolerance of side effects are also major issues.
"You have people who are on the programme but who can't find the $100.00 or $200.00 to get to the clinic to get the medication ... Some people who don't have the thousand dollars to get the medication, get it free, but don't have the money to support their nutritional needs along with the medication," he noted.
Joan, a 32-year-old mother of five, is among persons being treated for HIV through the public health system. According to her, without the assistance from the Stella Maris Foundation to purchase the needed medication, she would not be able to afford the monthly cost on her domestic helper's salary.
"I get anti-retrovirals, but like Bactrim and multivitamins and so I don't have the money to buy them. The first thing I think bout is my children," she lamented. "Sometimes when I dun give everybody I don't have anything left for myself ... When I get a likkle work I haffi walk."
Real name changed on request.
