People Living with HIV in Kabale are threatening to demonstrate because of lack of ARVs in health centers in the district for the passed three months. Godfrey Byamukama, chairperson Kabale Association of Persons Living with HIV/AIDS says that the several members of the association have died over the past three months because of lack of drugs especially sepritine.
Byakumaka says that they can not afford the cost of buying the life saving drugs. He says that they have resolved to take to the streets to draw the attention of government to their plight. Byamukama says government should put them into consideration instead of watching while the situation gets worse.
Vincent Rwabusende the chairperson of persons living with HIV/AIDS in Rubanda County says that they will not hesitate to take to the streets if the government does not come in immediately to save the situation. He says that as persons living with HIV/AIDS they have got a right to get drugs but they are surprised the way government is treating them.
Rwabusende says that they have been pooling money to buy septrine, saying that a tin of septrine costs 20.000= but this only pushes them for days. He adds that many patients whose CD4 count is still high are in need of septrine compared to other drugs but says that it is no where to be seen.
Dr Thomas Obong is the Senior Hospital administrator at Kabale regional referral hospital says that the hospital has been hit by a shortage of septrine but says that other antiretroviral drugs are available.
But a source at Kabale Regional Referral hospital says that they started experiencing the drug stock out in January this year. Adding that, they have been relying on emergence supplies from Joint Clinical Research Centre and Rugarama Hospital that owned by Kigezi Diocese.
Adriane Tibenda, Kabale district secretary for education and health services confirms the dug stock outs. He attributes the shortages to the new procurement guidelines where National Medical Stores delivers basic drugs to hospitals without consultations.
In the past individual hospitals would request for drugs they need. James Mugisha, the assistant chief administrative for Rubanda and Ndorwa counties says that the district does not have money to purchase ARVs.
