People Living with HIV/AIDS in eastern Uganda are at the risk of death as free anti-retroviral drugs run out of stock.
Most of the patients depend on Non Governmental Organizations (NGO's) for free cheap anti-retroviral therapy.
But with the global downturn, the NGO's are finding it difficult to maintain steady supply of drugs as donors cut their budget.
Uganda Cares is an initiative designed to provide ARVs along with comprehensive clinical care for HIV positive people living in rural areas of Uganda has not been spared by the effects of the global recession.
At their Busiu branch in Mbale, the organization is finding it difficulty to treat four hundred and forty eight HIV/AIDS patients who are registered with the organization.
Kitui Wamukota says the stock for first line HIV/AIDS anti-retroviral therapy ran out two months ago, leaving 47 patients who were to begin the treatment at the risk of death.
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Moses Namakwa, a clinical officer at the unit warns of a risk of drug resistance and steady decline in the patients CD4 count if the stocks are not immediately replenished.
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Some of the first line anti-retroviral drugs that are out of stock in the unit include Lamivudine (3TC), Stavudine (d4T) and Zivudine (AZT).
Other combinations like Combivir, Coviro and Tunomune are also out of stock.
