Health Ministry silent on reason for limited HIV medication supply

Health Ministry silent on reason for limited HIV medication supply

By Rashika Kumar
Thursday 14/11/2024

Serious questions are being raised about what led to the limited supply of crucial HIV medication, prompting the Health Ministry to regulate its distribution.

This comes as the Ministry says they only have supplies sufficient for a one-month dose per patient.

The Ministry says this includes Antiretroviral (ARV) medication also known as Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) which are a combination of drugs used to treat HIV.

They say this medication prevents HIV from replicating and destroying CD4 cells, which are an important part of the immune system.

It also prevents mother to child HIV transmission.

The Ministry says they have ordered HIV medication through the United Nations Development Programme mechanism through a signed agreement.

They say they are currently following up with the suppliers and hope to have additional supplies by the end of this month.

They further say at the moment, there are alternative medication regimens that HIV patients are consuming however, the Ministry will be closely monitoring supplies.

As at June this year, there are 552 confirmed cases of HIV/AIDS in the country.

The Health Ministry is yet to respond.

FEATURE NEWS
$304.4M in concessional loans and grants secured for four bridges
$304.4 million in funding has been secured in concessional loans and grants for four bridges that have been identified under the Fiji - Critical Bridg...
2 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Kalesi Volatabu selected as one of 17 Indigenous changemakers for the 2025 Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity program
Drug Free World Fiji founder, Kalesi Volatabu has been selected as one of 17 Indigenous and Pacific changemakers for the 2025 cohort which is part of ...
17 minutes ago

Disconnection between the Vanua, businesses and the provincial councils – GCC Chair
There is a missing link between businesses and the provincial councils, and today, the Great Council of Chiefs will discuss those missing links and ...
40 minutes ago

Two passengers still admitted with serious injuries at Lautoka Hospital
Two passengers remain hospitalized with serious injuries at Lautoka Hospital after a Goundar Shipping bus collided with a 4x4 vehicle at Vitogo, ...
2 hours ago

Bail denied for alleged wife killer Apisai Madigibuli
27-year-old Apisai Madigibuli's bail has been denied in the matter where he is alleged to have murdered his 25-year-old wife in April this ...
2 hours ago

Issuance of official passports to be amended
Cabinet has agreed to amend the issuance of official passports for senior categories of officials for official purposes and for the duration of their ...
2 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
yb
IN DEPTH
Sporting federations demand answers from FASANOC
National sporting federations who are part of Fiji Association of Sport and National Olympic Committee or FASANOC, are still calling for answers and ...
6 days ago

Continuous Radiology and Pharmacy services are now expected at Government Hospitals
Serious concerns are being raised by the public as the Ministry of Health has decided that radiology services and pharmacies at Government hospitals ...
6 days ago

Ratu Wiliame Katonivere declines Presidential nomination after an internal audit and investigation report
Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka confirms that President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere decided to decline Rabuka's nomination of him to serve a second term ...
7 days ago

TOP