PLHIV appeals for address of ART shortage

People Living with HIV (PLHIV) have appealed to government to treat the shortage of the anti-retroviral drugs (ART) as serious and give it an urgent attention because it is their lifeline.

According to the PLHIV, they suffer severe reactions to the alternative drugs.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Koforidua, when the Grand Knights of the Council and Noble Order of the Knights and Ladies of Marshal court 91 in Accra, donated assorted items to the inmates of Mathew 25 House, an HIV care and support centre, the inmates noted that, sometimes they had to visit the clinics several times before getting some of the drugs.

Monsignor Bobby Benson, Director and Founder of Mathew 25, explained that, the ART had proved to be the surest way of checking the deterioration of the immune system of HIV and AIDS patients and some of his inmates had been on it for 15 years.

He indicated that, some of the patients used to get about four months allocation but now due to the shortage, they are getting as low as three weeks of supply, describing the situation as very grave which needs attention.

Monsignor Benson who established the Mathew 25 House, about 10 years ago to provide shelter, food and medical care among others to PLHIVs and orphans and Vulnerable Children, said some of the inmates are relapsing because of failure to get the drugs on time.

He made it clear that, if the shortage is not addressed urgently, there is the likelihood that many of the PLHIV would lose their lives, adding that, the ART is a matter of survival for victims of HIV.

The group donated assorted food items including maxi bags of rice, sugar, maize, milk, detergents, toiletries and others at a cost of GH?4,000.00 to support the House.

Mr Emmanuel Osei Akuamoah, leader of the Knights and Ladies of Marshall, a friendly society of the Catholic Church, said the interaction of members with the inmates had changed their perception about PLHIVs and also appealed to government to address the ART shortage for their survival.

He commended Monsignor Benson for taking the initiative to set up the centre to care for the inmates when people are afraid of stigma and, therefore, shy away from them.

He urged all other benevolent societies within the Catholic Church to support the centre.