The Impending Risks of ARVs Drugs Shortage
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- May 13, 2021
In recent weeks, the Kenyan government has been in a stalemate with USAID over a large batch of antiretroviral treatment and other donated health supplies worth Kshs. 1.1 billion that have been stranded at the Mombasa Port since mid-January.
Despite the comments made previously by the CS Health, Mutahi Kagwe, stating that the commodities have already been released to the country and that the issue has been resolved, the USAID spokesperson had informed the media that the medications and medical supplies that are stuck at the Port of Mombasa are still in USAID’s possession.
USAID have refused to release the consignment citing that a private US based company, Chemonics International, be contracted to carry out the distribution before the drugs are released.
This issue has led to ARVs drug shortage in the country currently.
This drug stock-out has challenged patient care and threatened progress in the treatments. It has also caused significant medical implications for the health system and its patients. For the patients living with HIV/AIDS, the ARVs shortage has led them into taking incomplete dose, that is, most are forced to skip days without taking the drugs so that the little medication they have can last them longer.
The shortage has also interrupted their treatment schedules which create a higher risk of contracting other infections, complications, morbidity and even mortality.In his interview in a local TV show, Bernard Baridi, the National HIV Youth Prevention Ambassador said that, “Adherence to medication is going to be low …
If we don’t get the medication we are going to lose people.”
Children living with HIV are suffering the most since there is shortage of a drug called Kaletra that comes in form of syrup and can be taken easily by the children. Their parents are now forced to crush the ARVs tablets, mix with water then feed them with it despite being bitter for the children to ingest. Patients without funds to access health facilities or buy drugs from private health centers are also at high risks.
These shortages have also imposed an added burden on healthcare professionals who are forced to dedicate more time and capacity to dealing with their effects and impact. This comes at a time when the country is dealing with the deadly Covid-19 and most of the funds and other resources have been allocated to fight its spread.
