Missing the Target #5: Improving AIDS Drug Access ... - CD8 T cells

The DACA for Chadiza District was also reported to have severed contacts withsupport groups of PLWHA within the district, and was said to have rejected projectproposals handed to her office for funding from various donors including PEPFARand CRAIDS.Two of the 13 health centers in the district are providing ART, but there is no CD4count testing machinery in the district and clients must travel to Chipata GeneralHospital for such services. Some blood samples being sent from Chadiza DistrictHospital to Chipata for CD4 count testing were reported to be lost, misplaced, orclotted.Another problem of great concern raised by support group members from thedistrict involved inmates from an open air prison who have used proceeds from thevegetables, tomatoes, and other perishable crops they were growing and sellingfrom the open air prison garden, to accumulate money and have unprotectedsex with women. Cases of pregnancies involving inmates have rocked thearea surrounding the open air prison; a situation they said was increasing HIVprevalence rates.KATETE DISTRICTLong distances from far-flung rural villages that must be traveled to reach the ARTcenter at the District Hospital, and congestion at the center from an increasingnumber of clients, were cited as problems PLWHA in the district experienced. TheDistrict Hospital is the only center offering ART out of a total of 18 health centersin the district, and there is a lack of literacy information materials on HIV/AIDS andART. Cases of sharing ARVs amongst clients from far away places awaiting theirappointment was said to be very common, and some counselors based at the localdistrict hospital were said to have identified clients on similar drugs who were laterasked to share.CHIPATA DISTRICTCongestion was reported at the three health centers out of 40 in the provincialheadquarters that offer ART services. The CD4 count testing equipment constantlybreaks down and clients have to seek such services from Mwami Seventh DayAdventist (SDA) Mission Hospital, where they have to pay K48,000 for such services.The New Start Center Network has been providing ART through Mwami MissionHospital. HIV testing reagents were also out of stock for months.PETAUKE DISTRICTZAMBIAFour functional health centers out of a total of 28 are providing ART services inthe district. Long distances must be traveled by clients living in far-off places, mostof whom are rural dwellers with few or no sources of income. Many people havediscontinued treatment due to these challenges and others.45