CHITUNGWIZA - Only less than half the people who need anti-retroviral medication in St Marys and Chitungwiza constituencies are getting treatment due to a nationwide drug shortage.The shortage has been blamed on cash shortages and the country’s failure to impress international donors who can help.
A senior official of the Chitungwiza AIDS Committee told a recent meeting here that only 8620 people in the area were receiving ARVs while 10000 remained on the ever-growing waiting list because there were no drugs.
The official also said sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) that were not related to AIDS were rife in the area. In a sample survey, the committee found that in June 2009, 665 people from the community were treated for STIs. The majority (425) were women, highlighting the authorities concern about prostitution and risky behaviour in the area.
“The only way to contain this problem is to change our behaviour,” the official said.
He warned about ‘false prophets’ who tell people affected by AIDS that they have been attacked by evil spirits.
Post published in: Analysis