ARV theft puts patients in danger

RISK OF DEVELOPING DRUG-RESISTANT HIV

MEDICAL experts have warned of the dangers behind HIV-Aids patients skipping their ARV treatments.

This after two health officials were arrested for stealing ARV drugs at the Esselen Street Clinic in Hillbrow, Johannesburg, last Wednesday.

The officials were found to have been withholding ARVs from patients, and forcing them to pay.

Dr Nkateko Mkhondo, of the Anova Health Institute, said this could lead to patients becoming treatment resistant.

Mkhondo said treatment resistance caused a patient ’ s viral load to increase, and their CD4 count to drop and ultimately they fall prey to opportunistic infections such as TB and pneumonia.

“We always warn our patients not to miss even a day of treatment,” she said.

Mkhondo said the ethical concerns about this case were alarming.

“It is ethically disturbing for officials to withhold medication which can improve a patient ’ s quality of life,” she said.

Bruce Conradie, of the organisation Right to Care, said once a patient had developed drug-resistant HIV-Aids they had to be put onto second- and thirdline treatment options.

“These drug options usu-

They fall prey to

opportunistic infections like TB

ally have more side effects and are far more expensive than first-line drug regimens,” Conradie said.

He said there were ways to improve the stock management of medicines to guard against theft.

“Right to Care has successfully completed a pilot project at Helen Joseph Hospital ’ s Themba Lethu HIV Clinic, which uses pharmacy automated dispensing systems to improve the supply of medicine.

“At this facility stock control and drug dispensing is managed by a robotic, automated system, ” Conradie said.

Meanwhile, Gauteng department of health MEC Hope Papo has spoken out against the sale of free medication.

Papo said patients should report such corruption to health facility management.

“ARV treatment is free to all patients in public health institutions. No one should pay for them. Such incidents are alarming and should not be allowed to continue,” Papo said.

She said all reported cases would be thoroughly investigated and action would be taken against corrupt healthcare workers.

Nonceba Molwele, from the City of Johannesburg, said the city would strengthen its internal control measures across health facilities to prevent corruption and fraud.

The public can report any wrongdoing or misconduct to the anti-corruption hotline 0800-002587.