06 Aug 2014

The Lobatse District Multi-Sectoral AIDS Committee (DMSAC) has expressed concern at the rate in which ant-retroviral drug clients default and are forced to be re-initiated into the programme after sometime.

Briefing Lobatse DMSAC on the status of the dispensation of the anti-retro viral therapy (ARVT) in the district, district AIDS coordinator, Mr Samuel Gaseleme reported that there had been an increasing number of ARVT patients in this quarter who have been defaulting.

This, he said has led to these defaulters coming at later dates to the facilities requesting re-initiation into the programme.

The number of defaulters has been increasing from the second quarter of 2013/2014 financial year which had eight defaulters to nine defaulters in the third quarter and in the last quarter having 12 defaulters.

Chief registered nurse at Athlone Hospital, Ms Ruth Sebuso said stigma was still rampant among clients and they feel insecure to enroll for the programme in the health facilities. They prefer to come as far as Jwaneng, Molepolole and Gaborone to enroll in Lobatse.

The distance they travel, at times becomes a challenge when they have to come for re-filling and they end up defaulting. 

“At the time they visit the facility, health officials would have no choice but to re- initiate them into the programme,” she said.

Pill fatique, alcoholism and lack of disclosure were also some of the factors that were cited as contributing to patients defaulting.

The Athlone Hospital Infectious Disease Control Centre (IDCC) currently has 2 186 clients on ARV programme, 1 361 females and 825 males. 

Mr Gaseleme stated the district initiated into the programme 41 clients in the last quarter of the past financial year.

For his part, DMSAC chairperson Mr Oganne Gontse said this was a worrisome situation as there were health consequences that would come along with defaulting which could adversely affect the defaulters.

He encouraged the committee to up their game in ensuring that the clients do not default.

Mr Gontse advised the committee to find means of reaching out to the defaulters and inform them on the health implications of defaulting. ENDS