Kakaire A. Kirunda
3 September 2008
Kampala — There should be a sigh of relief for persons living with HIV (PLWH) who receive treatment under the Ministry of Health arrangement.
Following weeks of uncertainty, the reported shortage of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) appears to be over, for at least now. Last evening. the medicines were delivered at the National Medical Stores after being cleared at Entebbe Airport.
The head of the ART (antiretroviral therapy) programme at the ministry, Dr Elizabeth Namagala, said although she could not confirm the exact quantity of the drugs, she was aware that drugs were being delivered.
"The pharmaceutical section placed the orders and they know exactly how much we have procured," she said. The General Manager of the National Medical Stores, Mr Moses Kamabale, confirmed last evening that medicines including ARVs and anti malarial drugs had been received.
With funds from the Global Fund to fight Aids, Malaria and Tuberculosis, the government supports about 67,000 persons living with HIV. There are currently 130,000 Ugandans on treatment out of an estimated 312,000 in urgent need of the life prolonging medicines.
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