Vusumuzi Sifile
13 December 2008
AN international HIV/Aids advocacy group has challenged the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) to honour a pledge it made two years ago to provide US$2 million every month for the production of life-prolonging drugs for people living with HIV/Aids (PLWHA).
In its latest report, the Southern African Treatment Access Movement (Satamo), which is the regional governing body for the International Treatment Preparedness Coalition (ITPC) and the Pan-African Treatment Access Movement (Patam), called on RBZ Governor, Gideon Gono to honour the pledge which he made in 2006.
"In October 2006, the governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), Dr Gideon Gono, pledged to provide no less than US$2 million monthly towards improving the health delivery system and purchasing drugs, including ARVs," says the report, released two weeks ago.
"Varichem, the local pharmaceutical company that manufactures generic ARVs, only requires US$1 million monthly for ARV production.
"The RBZ should honour its commitment to the people of Zimbabwe, and this will be a clear demonstration that the nation's health is a priority."
The report says if the RBZ honours that commitment, Zimbabwe "has the capacity to manufacture generic ARVs", enough for the estimated 260 000 people in need of the life-prolonging treatment.
RBZ spokesperson Kumbirai Nhongo did not respond to the Satamo report despite repeated promises to do so.
The report also says the current tumultuous political and economic situation was worsening the plight of PLWHA, and that "real changes needed in Zimbabwe are both political and economic".
"Major barriers to ARV treatment in Zimbabwe include political and economic challenges, inadequate resources -- both human and financial, and a collapsing health delivery system," says the report. "The past eight years have been characterised by political turmoil and an economic downturn.
"Among the consequences are hyperinflation, shortages of basic commodities, mass migration, a reduction in social spending, donor flight and 80% unemployment."These challenges have directly impacted on health care."
Despite the HIV prevalence rate having declined to 15,6% last year, the delayed resolution of an impasse between the three parties to a power-sharing agreement signed in September is thwarting efforts to tackle the effects of HIV/Aids.
"The situation has been worsened by the flight of donors, whose support had in the past sustained the health delivery system, and compounded by the country's failure to secure funding from a number of Global Fund to Fight HIV/Aids, tuberculosis and malaria."
The report also challenges the government to set practical treatment targets that are supported by the necessary financial, human and other resources, with civil society playing an active role in holding the government accountable to its commitments.
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