Church welcomes new HIV drug
THE Church is happy with Government efforts to mitigate against the HIV pandemic with the introduction of a new drug, Tenofovir Alafenamide (TAF), the Bishops Council of Zambia (BCZ) has said.
BCZ Secretary General, Abel Kaela told the Daily Nation in an interview that the development showed Government’s commitment towards fighting HIV/AIDS.
Commenting on the newly launched HIV drug Tenofovir Alafenamide (TAF), Bishop Kaela called on the general public to welcome the dug and support government in fighting the epidemic.
He said people should not shun the drug, instead seek professional opinion and follow treatment instructions.
He added that the Ministry of Health should aim to consort efforts with the Church to intensify sensitisation because the church was at an advantage where HIV related issues could be discussed.
Bishop Kaela explained that just like the cholera prevention sensitisation methods were extended to the church and other institutions, fighting HIV/AIDS should be treated as such.
“My appeal is that government and the church come together and find a common ground. If the two combine in terms of mobility and logistics, HIV can be curbed. As BCZ, we have stood with government and we urge them to use the church in rural and urban areas for a better health service,” Bishop Kaela said.
“The ministry and the church should combine efforts to put sensitisation into play because the church has a lot of members in attendance which makes it the best place to begin discussing such issues,” he said.
On Thursday June 27, 2019, Minister of Health Dr. Chitalu Chilufya launched the new HIV drug.
He said Zambia was the first country in the world to introduce TAF, which he described as better and safer with less bone and kidney side effects.
He explained that the treatment suppresses the viral load within 10 to 14 days and it can also be given to children of 25 kilogrammes and above, as a single tablet daily.
Dr Chilufya said the simplification led to harmonisation of antiretroviral regimens between children and adults and provided better outcomes.
He said government is optimistic the new drug will help Zambia achieve the epidemic control of HIV by 2021.