ANTIRETROVIRAL DRUG SHORTAGE IN CAMEROON

 ANTIRETROVIRAL DRUG SHORTAGE IN CAMEROON 

By TikumMbah Azonga

For some months, HIV AIDS patients receiving treatment from the state have had tough times as stocks of antiretroviral get exhausted. This has led to patients skipping the taking of the drugs as scheduled.

According to medical personnel, there are measures in place to placate shortage, through the provision of nine separate anti-retroviral drugs available for what is termed “second line treatment”. Among those, there are seven protocol combinations which can be administered per tablet or more. Of those seven, five are for “first line treatment|”.

Dr. Kouanfack Charles of the Yaounde Central Hospital told Cameroon Tribune that when one protocol is unavailable; the second is used so that there is no vacuum. Even so, there is the chance of patients being adversely affected if treatment protocol is changed without adequate counseling and at short notice.

There was some good news recently when Public Health Minister Andre Mama Fouda announced that the President of the Republic had committed the sum of CFA5bn Frs. to that purpose. With that allocation, HIV AIDS patients can heave a sigh of relief that the stalemate has been broken.

The minister also announced that foreign partners in the fight against HIV AIDS have confirmed their willingness to supply antiretroviral drugs to the tune of CFA5.2 bn. If that figure is added to the one already committed by the President of the Republic, the total amount rises to CFA10.2 bn.

Another boost is the already allocated sum of 9.8bn provided for in the state budget, of which 5.8bn comes from the 2013 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 4bn from the World Fund Round Ten. This provision is to run throughout the 2014 financial year.

At the regional level, the North West has received equipment which will enhance HIV AIDS healthcare and some other medical conditions. This boost came in the form of a package presented to the North West Special Fund for the Promotion of Health by the group, MSH Cameroon and PEPFAR/USAID. The North West Regional Delegate for Public Health, Dr. Victor Ndiforchu explained that the aid is “an impressive one” containing temperature monitors, medical coolers, computers, mobile ladders, weight lifting gadgets, and even a signed undertaking to provide training for store keepers and pharmacy attendants  managing drugs.

These measures come to consolidate previous ones. In 2007 for instance, government made antiretroviral treatment free and at the same time injected considerable funds for the conduct of tests. Nonetheless, there is need to revamp the steps taken, considering that since 2007 the number of people eligible for treatment rose from 28 000 to 150 000 in 2013. Another setback has been the cutting back by the World Fund, of the volume of its support envelop to Cameroon from 50 to 30 per cent.

Although the measures taken by the government are commendable, the real test will lie in ensuring that far from being temperamental, supply is sustained and smooth.

FOOTNOTE

This paper was first broadcast on FOUNDATION RADIO, FM100, the Voice of the Voiceless, Mile 6, Ngomgham, Mankon, Bamenda, North West Region on the 7^th of August 2013.. The radio is part of the The Fomunyoh Foundation (TFF) which is headed by Dr. Chris Fomunhoh.

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