22 Feb 2015

Assistant Minister of Health Dr Alfred Madigele says the main reason for dispensing Anti-Retroviral drugs (ARVs) in caravans in some of the health facilities is shortage of space.

He said patients on anti-retroviral therapy require intensive and continuous adherence assessment and counseling at all points of care in order to improve adherence to medications.

He said this process together with the large number of patients that require ARVs necessitated the setup of alternative areas such as caravans to decongest facility dispensaries as well as reduce waiting times of clients that have not come for ARVs.

He said statistics have indicated that more than 80 per cent of the clients are adhering to the treatment and factors such as alcohol intake, religious and cultural/traditional believes have been linked to those that default.

Dr Madigele further said the ministry was already integrating HIV/AIDS care into overall health care system in some of its health facilities as health posts provide integrated health services.

He said the process of integrating HIV/AIDS care into the overall healthcare system for other health facilities is underway and is being done in a phased manner. 

He said integration has started in nine health facilities in Kgatleng, Kweneng West and Mahalapye.

The Assistant Minister was responding to question from Francistown South MP, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi who had asked why anti-retroviral drugs are dispensed in caravans at health facilities and not at the usual hospital dispensaries.

He also wanted to know whether this practice was not responsible for the high rate of absconding and if the ministry will consider inculcating immunodeficiency virus care into the normal health care system.ENDS