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NGO sounds alarm on ART default rate

Foundation for Community and Capacity Development (Foccad) has said increasing cases of people defaulting anti-retro viral treatment (ART) is undermining the fight against HIV and Aids in Nkhotakota.

This transpired yesterday at a stakeholders’ meeting the non-governmental organisation (NGO) held to share gains it has registered in its In Support of Her Dream Project targeting women and girls by increasing their access to sexual and reproductive health.

Nyirenda: The situation is putting
people’s lives at risk

Speaking at the meeting, foccad project officer Ruth Nyirenda cited long distances to health facilities and negative attitudes by health personnel towards people on ART as some of the factors fuelling default.

 She said: “Although the district is putting much effort in the fight against HIV and Aids, the rising figures of people defaulting treatment is posing a challenge. So far, 217 women and girls are defaulting on ART services in traditional authorities Mphonde and Kafuzira.”

Nyirenda said 65 women and girls have been retraced and put back on treatment.

In his remarks, district youth friendly coordinator JossenChizala said as a key stakeholder in the fight against the pandemic, they are striving to ensure that drugs are available in all health centres across the district.

District principal nutrition officer Dorothy Malamulo stressed the need for players involved in HIV and Aids programmes to work together to ensure that the 90-90-90 target is attained by 2030. The project is being funded by Amplify Change.

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