David Macharia
9 January 2008
Nairobi — Help is in the way for HIV and Aids patients displaced by last week's post-election violence amid fears that their treatment would be derailed.
The Eldoret-based treatment agency, Academic Model for Prevention And Treatment of HIV/Aids (Ampath), revealed that a number of patients enrolled for drug supply had been displaced and thus may not access routine medication.
The organisation, an organ of the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, has been running clinics where patients access medical supplies in North Rift, Western and Nyanza regions.
Keen to prevent more interruptions, Ampath authorities have issued urgent guidelines to their clients on how they could continue accessing the medicines.
In a statement to media houses, Ampath advised patients that it was important not to miss their medication.
"You are advised to take your clinic card or empty bottle - for those who might have lost their clinic cards - to any Ampath site or Ministry of Health clinic that offers HIV/Aids care for supply," the statement read.
It advised patients who have no identification records with the organisation to present themselves at any Ampath or Government clinic for treatment.
Patients who are unable to reach any health facility were advised to call the numbers 0737615370 or 0727870896 for assistance.
"If you are in a situation where you are not able to access any HIV/Aids care, it is important to stop all HIV/Aids medication at the same time to avoid drug resistance," the statement advised.
Clients with children on infant "formula" were told to pick the formula from the nearest Ampath clinic.
Alternatively, the mothers can use other sources of milk if they are unable to access the formula feeds.
Meanwhile, the prices of most consumer commodities in Nakuru have skyrocketed.
Traders blamed this on the current state of unrest in the country, saying it has led to shortages and price increases.
They said insecurity on the roads hampered transportation of the produce.
Additional reporting by Wanjiru Macharia
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