HIV/AIDS treatment: Uninterrupted intake of anti-retrovirals enhances effectiveness – Experts

That some patients ignorantly stop taking their drugs to turn to fake concoctions and prayers

By Yemti Harry Ndienla

HIV/AIDS research experts have called on AIDS patients on anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs) in Cameroon to respect their prescribed daily dosage and take them uninterrupted if they want to feel much better.

Studies by the German Development Corporation (GTZ), in partnership with the country's Ministry of Public Health have revealed that of the over 75,000 AIDS patients that are supposed to be on ARVs only about 50,000 of them are actually on the therapy.

The studies also regrettably show that some patients abandon their treatment and turn to traditional healers and prayer groups who promise them speedy cure. Others, the finding adds, forget to take their treatment or skip the dose for different reasons.

All these attitudes, the AIDS experts further say, lead to drug resistance, treatment failure and increase morbidity and mortality rates of people infected with HIV.

It is for these reasons that GTZ and the Ministry of Public Health have launched a campaign to sensitise patients on the need for strict compliance and adherence to the rules guiding anti-retroviral treatment.

The representative of the National AIDS Control Committee, Daniel Ekoua, in his address at the campaign’s launching ceremony recently, advised that patients on ARV must never discontinue ARV treatment because it is a lifetime treatment and that any complications in the course of taking the treatment should be reported to a medical doctor. He urged them to buy alarm systems like watches, clocks, mobile phones which they can programme to remind them to take their drugs.

The campaign that will run until 13 August was launched by Alim Hayatou, the secretary of state in the Ministry of Public Health in the presence of the GTZ representative and other public officials.