Health Ministry silent on reason for limited HIV medication supply

Health Ministry silent on reason for limited HIV medication supply

By Rashika Kumar
Thursday 14/11/2024

Serious questions are being raised about what led to the limited supply of crucial HIV medication, prompting the Health Ministry to regulate its distribution.

This comes as the Ministry says they only have supplies sufficient for a one-month dose per patient.

The Ministry says this includes Antiretroviral (ARV) medication also known as Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) which are a combination of drugs used to treat HIV.

They say this medication prevents HIV from replicating and destroying CD4 cells, which are an important part of the immune system.

It also prevents mother to child HIV transmission.

The Ministry says they have ordered HIV medication through the United Nations Development Programme mechanism through a signed agreement.

They say they are currently following up with the suppliers and hope to have additional supplies by the end of this month.

They further say at the moment, there are alternative medication regimens that HIV patients are consuming however, the Ministry will be closely monitoring supplies.

As at June this year, there are 552 confirmed cases of HIV/AIDS in the country.

The Health Ministry is yet to respond.

FEATURE NEWS
17-year-old student commits suicide
A 17-year-old student of a prominent school in Navua has committed suicide. Police confirmed this to fijivillage News this morning and it is allege...
3 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Fiji calls on the ICJ to support justice for communities vulnerable to climate change
Fiji is calling on the International Court of Justice, also known as the World Court, to support justice for communities vulnerable to climate change ...
59 minutes ago

TikTok set to be banned in the US after losing appeal
TikTok's bid to overturn a law which would see it banned or sold in the US from early 2025 has been rejected. The social media company had hoped a ...
2 hours ago

Buluvakaca and Tuidama awarded sportsman and sportswoman of the year for Gospel High
For 15-year-old cousins Napolioni Buluvakaca and Rachel Tuidama, being awarded the Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year at Gospel High School is the ...
2 hours ago

Painting is more than art – it’s the key to supporting my family and empowering Fiji’s youth - Eastgate
40-year-old Jack Eastgate is not just a painter; he is a visionary dedicated to empowering Fiji’s youth through art. Since starting his artistic ...
4 hours ago

New Community Police Post in Taveuni to address yaqona theft
Good news for the people of Taveuni as the Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration, Sitiveni Rabuka, informed Parliament that a ...
4 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
yb
IN DEPTH
Dubai 7s 2024
The Fiji Airways Men's National 7s team ended a 9-year drought by winning the HSBC Dubai 7s title, defeating Spain 19-5 in the final. This marks ...
1 day ago

Walesi Government Digitalization program
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Communications, Manoa Kamikamica says it is clear the FijiFirst Government wanted to also control the ...
3 days ago

Prof. Biman Prasad on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad will appear on fijivillage Straight With Vijay Narayan.The show focused on the ...
5 days ago

TOP