Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2009. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
 |
New Vision (Kampala) - September 27, 2009
Elvis Basudde
"Two months ago we were told the clinic had run out of drugs. Nowadays we get drugs for only two weeks. Sometimes we are told to wait a little longer," Namusoke says.
Established in 2003 to care for people living with HIV/AIDS and other chronic illnesses, the clinic now caters for 3194 patients. Of these, 135 are children.
Dr. Chris Jary, the outgoing medical officer in charge of the clinic, says the demand for ARVs is high yet they are not getting enough supplies.
Mildmay Uganda, which provides similar treatment, recently announced closure. JCRC and Mildmay are the two major care providers for persons living with HIV in the country.
Dr. Zainab Akol, the HIV/AIDS control programme manager at the health ministry, attributes the drug shortages to an increase in the number of patients. "We now have over 100,000 yet the donors have been reluctant to release more funding," she says.
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, one of the major funders of HIV programmes, suspended funding in 2005 citing mismanagement of funds.
Dr. Jay says the National Medical Store will take over the responsibility of organising and supplying drugs when JCRC pulls out.
090927
NV090924
Copyright © 2009 - The New Vision. All articles are republished on AEGIS by permission. Material may not be redistributed, posted to any other location, published or used for broadcast without written authorization from Managing Director/Editor-in-chief, The New Vision, P.O. Box 9815, Kampala - Uganda, Tel/fax: 256-41-235221, E-mail: wpike@newvision.co.ug.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from the Elton John AIDS Foundation, National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2009. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2009. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .