Evelyn Lirri
13 November 2009
The Uganda Aids Commission (UAC) says 191,000 people living with HIV now have access to antiretroviral drugs, but this is still below the 322,000 people who need medication.
Although this is an increase from 15,000 people who were accessing the drugs four years ago, the Director General of UAC, Dr Kihumuro Apuuli, said the increased number of people on treatment is straining the available resources. Speaking to journalists in Kampala on Tuesday Dr Apuuli said:"Because of the rising infections, the gap between the available resources and the need for treatment and care is widening, yet we have reached only half of those who need treatment."
He said more money is being organised to purchase drugs to keep patients alive-a more costly approach than trying to prevent new infections from occurring.
At the moment, Dr Apuuli said treatment and care is costing up to $11,500 (about Shs20m) for every HIV/Aids patient until the time they die. "This is not sustainable. The challenge now is to meet the demand for treatment. Don't be surprised that sooner or later, there will be shortages of ARVs because the demand outstrips the supply," he said.
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