Expert hails Govt over new early HIV treatment plan

Fri, 30 Jun 2017 10:08:09 +0000

By Cliff Phiri in Kaoma

THE Network of Zambian People Living with HIV (NZP+) has applauded Government for implementing the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines that require HIV-positive people to be put on treatment regardless of their CD4 count.

Speaking ahead of the National Voluntary Counselling and Testing Day which falls today, NZP+ Kaoma district coordinator, John Machuku, said that treatment was critical for HIV prevention and viral load suppression as it could lead to the end of AIDS, a commitment which the global community seeks to achieve by 2030.

Mr Machuku said the Universal Test and Treat (UTT) approach which the WHO has adopted will avoid a delayed situation as HIV-positive people will be put on treatment while their immune system is still strong and at a time when they are not susceptible to opportunistic infections.

He said that the UTT guideline provides HIV-positive individuals with an opportunity to be hastily allied to care and support services that will enable them to reach viral suppression status and provide an effective way of preventing further spread of new HIV infections.

Mr Machuku said that the launch of the “Test and Start” approach by the Ministry of Health and the National HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Council underpins Government’s resolve to intervene early when individuals test HIV-positive which will guarantee enhanced health outcomes.

And Mr Machuku said that people who are engaged in employment are finding it difficult to be open about their HIV status because of the continued stigmatization they faced at their workplaces.

He said that support groups provide a platform for HIV-positive individuals to open up and share their experiences but their establishment in workplaces had proved to be thorny as some people still considered being HIV-positive as humiliating.

Mr Machuku said that it was saddening that those who were in employment have gone to the extent of getting their medications through proxies because of stigma and this had to a certain extent resulted in the increase in the default rate.

He said that NZP+ finds it easy to form support groups in communities unlike workplaces because people in such localities are willing to help others accept their status and they also offer learning experiences that provide positive living.

Mr Machuku, who commended PEPFAR and Government for their support, said that Kaoma currently has 615 members who are in 41 support groups that are located in the district’s eight wards out of which 459 are females and 156 are males.

He said that addressing stigma and discrimination to unblock barriers impeding access to treatment such as confidentiality and respect for clients seeking medical interventions were key to achieving the desired results.