More than 73 000 people on antiretroviral (ARV) therapy in some parts of Namibia run the risk of becoming drug resistant after they were taken off their prescribed medication because of shortages.
Some community counsellors who spoke to The Namibian, said there are 22 702 people on ARVs in Oshana; 27 003 in Ohangwena’s Engela, Eenhana and Okongo; while 5 122 are in Swakopmund district. Khomas region – Katutura Intermediate Hospital – has 14 674, while Okuryangava has 3 500. The Namibian could, however, not get figures for all the regions.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the counsellors and nurses singled out Tenolam-Tenofovir/Lamivudine as one of the medicines that are currently out of stock at most health centres countrywide.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services confirmed the shortage of medicines last week, singling out ARVs but denied responsibility, which they attributed to hiccups on the part of the suppliers…
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