Zimpapers Logo

Marvelous Moyo Gwanda Correspondent
THE government has been urged to address the perennial shortage of Cotrimoxazole at health institutions that has hit people living with HIV in the rural areas the most.
While the drug is readily available in pharmacies, indications are that most government hospitals in Matabeleland South province where the drug is given free of charge to people living with HIV do not have it.

Cotrimoxazole is a critical drug that is also taken by some PLWHIV who are yet to be initiated to antiretroviral treatment. People who fall under this group are expected to take the drug consistently and any shortages become a threat to their lives.

Zimbabwe National Network of PLWHIV (ZNNP+) Matabeleland South provincial coordinator Profit Mukuze said the persistent Cotrimoxazole shortages in health institutions in the province was impacting negatively on people’s health.

“We’ve a challenge of Cotrimoxazole and I think it is becoming a perennial problem countrywide and ideally these drugs are for free but at most of the health institutions it is not available. Here in Gwanda, the problem is on and off,” said Mukuze.

“As a result some HIV positive people are forced to buy the drug in pharmacies despite the fact that some cannot afford to raise money to buy the drug. Some people end up sharing the drugs because they would not have budgeted for them.”

He said his organisation hopes that the government will address the recurring shortages.

No comment could be obtained from the Matabeleland South Provincial Medical Director Dr William Busumani.

Other than perennial shortages of Cotrimoxazole, Mukuze said some PLWHIV were travelling long distances to access their medication from health institutions.

He also bemoaned the long distance travelled by PLWHIV to water points to fetch the precious liquid saying it was also a burden to the people.

However, Mukuze expressed gratitude over the new CD4 count machine acquired by Manama Mission Hospital saying it was a positive move towards supporting PLWHIV.