Ethiopia launched free
ART program
Ethiopia is among the countries most heavily affected by
the HIV epidemic. The cumulative number of PLWHA is about
1.5 million, with 95,000 under 15 years of age. The 2003 national
prevalence in the urban and rural population are 12.6% and
2.6% respectively. Since 2004, there are an estimated 105,453
and 27,226 new AIDS cases in the adult and children population
respectively. Some 90,000 adults and 25, 000 children have
died of AIDS. About 265,358 PLWHA need antiretroviral treatment,
and of this population, only 2% can afford to pay for ARVs
and healthcare services. The ART program was launched in January
2005. ARV drugs are going to be distributed freely to 20 hospitals
and 80 health centers.
Eligibility Criteria for Treatment
Ideally, access to ART should be universal and equitable.
The “right to treatment” has now been recognized
as a natural extension of the right to health. However, the
reality in Ethiopia today dictates eligibility criteria as
a result of inadequate supply of free ARVs. Therefore, not
all those who qualify for free ART will be able to get it
initially. To ensure equitable provision of ART, the following
criteria for access to free ART, with a contingency quota
plan, have been established.
At the national level, the following are the minimum
access criteria, given in order of importance:
- HIV regional prevalence and population density
- Access priority for vulnerable groups and health workers
At the facility level, access to ART will be prioritized
based on:
- Clinical determinants such as CD4 count
- Clinician determined last resort priority
- The sickest with ART reversible conditions
- The most vulnerable, e.g. children
Safety of those who do not start indicated ART will
be assured through:
- An open access practice set up that guarantees same day
evaluation and care of patients who seek care.
- Prompt evaluation and care of OIs and other clinical
conditions.
|
| Pharmacies at which
ARV Drugs are being distributed |
| Pharmacy |
Telephone |
| Kenema No. 1 |
Woreda 01, Kebele 06, H.No. 1047 |
| Kenema No. 2 |
Woreda 02, Kebele 12, Tel. 251-1-11 26 94 |
| Kenema No. 3 |
Woreda 21, Kebele 01, H.No. 445, Tel. 251-1-156916 |
| Kenema No. 4 |
Woreda 14, Kebele 07, Tel. 251-1-566987/122518 |
| Kenema No. 5 |
Woreda 20, Kebele 45 Tel. 251-1-653339 |
| Zewditu Memorial Hospital Kenema Speical Pharmacy |
Tel. 251-1-537639 |
|
