Lusaka, 7 February (IANS). The Zambia government has assured the public that the supply of life saving HIV drugs will continue, even if the US has decided to stop the supply of these drugs. America was still a big supplier of these drugs to Jambia.
The Zambia Medicine and Medical Supply Agency, which looks at the work of procurement, storage and distribution of medicines, said that adequate antiretroviral (ARV) drugs are available for all patients in the country.
Senior agency officer Bradley Chingobe said that there is nothing to worry about, as the supply of drugs will continue smoothly. The ARV medicines available right now will be sufficient by June 2025.
He informed that the central warehouses and seven regional centers present across the country have adequate medicines, so that all the needy will continue to get first, second and third row ARV medicines.
The agency says that the distribution of drugs will continue through 3,500 health centers across the country.
According to the Xinhua News Agency report, the US government had announced to stop funding of international development programs on 20 January 2025 for 90 days. It also includes Jambia programs.
According to the Health Ministry of Jambia, till 30 September 2023, about 1.5 million people in the country were infected in HIV, of which about 1.3 million people were on ARV therapy.
Many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and Civil Social Organizations (CSOs) had to stop their services due to the closure of American aid, affecting HIV-related prevention and treatment services. In view of this, on 6 February, the Botswana government implemented a temporary solution for the affected patients.
Health Ministry spokesman Christopher Nyga said that the government is trying to ensure that HIV services continue as before.
He also said that in some cases these services were already being given in government health centers, so treatment will continue there. However, it is not yet clear when the closed NGOs and CSOs will be turned on again. Therefore, the ministry has appealed to HIV patients to take their necessary services from the nearest government hospitals and health centers.
-IANS
AS/
