Decline in number of patients picking ARVs worries Kisoro health officials

Kisoro, Uganda |  THE INDEPENDENT |  A decline in the number of patients turning up to pick their Antiretroviral Drugs – ARVs in Kisoro district during the COVID-19 lockdown is worrying health officials. 

The health officials say that after the lockdown was imposed in March, most patients have failed to make it to the health facilities to receive their ARVs.

Jackeline Nyirakwizera, the head of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Clinic at Kisoro Hospital says that on a daily the department would receive over 100 clients. She however, says that after the lockdown was imposed, the number of clients reduced by half. 

Nyirakwizera says that majority who cannot pick the ARVs include the elderly and children below 15 years who are unable to trek from far sub counties like Muramba and Busanza. According to Nyirakwizera, most clients from far sub counties would use motorcycles and taxi to the hospital to receive ARVs which are currently not on the road.  

She says that even those who struggle to trek reach the hospital when they are too hungry and crying for food that the hospital doesn’t provide. She adds that the decline is an indication that most of the clients are now missing their dozes which puts their health at risk. 

One of the HIV Positive living person from Muramba sub county told our reporter on condition of anonymity that trekking to Kisoro hospital to receive ARVs is very hectic because he gets very tired.

He says that he has decided to forego medication because he cannot walk the long distance. 

Sison Mugisha, Kisoro District HIV Focal Person says that they are aware of the decline of HIV patients in all health facilities across the district due to transport challenges. 

Mugisha says that they have resolved to register all clients across the district so that they look for possible means of transporting ARVs to their homes. Mugisha says that district health department is in talks with Doctors for Global Health (DGH) operating in Kisoro to help and transport ARVs to the patients. 

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