Mon, 24 Jul 2017 13:33:41 +0000
By CHIKUMBI KATEBE
LACK of consistence and poor management in the supply chain of medicines has contributed to the problem of resistance to drugs in the treatment of HIV in Zambia, says Treatment, Advocacy and Literacy Campaign executive director Felix Mwanza.
Mr Mwanza said there were many factors which could lead to drugs resistance especially in the treatment of HIV as the duration for medication was ongoing for life, which could trigger resistance.
He said stock-outs due to poor supply chain management as well as individual behaviour affects treatment and cam result in drugs resistance.
“Studies which have been carried out world-over have shown that long term medication tend to bring out more residence trends with patients sometimes forgetting to take drugs and also skipping medication due to limited access as a result of stock-outs.
“We therefore urge our members to be consistent; let it not be as a result of negligence on both patient and managers of drugs supply which could lead to stock-outs in health facilities,” he said.
He explained that individual behaviour has proved a major factor in resistance to medication where patients have refused to adhere to doctors’ instructions.
And TALC has stepped up provisions of treatment advocacy through an electronic programme, “the e-adherence support system” aimed at increasing public access to information in the treatment of HIV.
“We have introduced an electronic adherence support programme through mobile form “SMS” service.
“People needing support and information on care and prevention as well as treatment and group support can send a query to “3104” – known as the End Edge Porto where they can get “SMS” reply in real time,” he said.
He explained that there were qualified persons including doctors to advise them on information about medication, adherence and prevention as well as group support.
