E-drug: Combination HIV therapy in Africa
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[copied from the PROCAARE conference on AIDS]
The proceedings of the Abidjan Conference clearly reiterate the need to
push ahead with combating HIV. Some people in Africa are "relaxing" because
ostensibly "there is a cure in the Western World" as they read reports of
the retroviral therapy. But is this a panacea really? Does it act as a
saboteur to HIV preventive programmes?
The Triple therapy is effective, YES. But:
1. Costly and beyond most in Africa at $15,000 per year.
2. Requires life long therapy.
3. Develops resistance in long term usage in some.
4. Somne react to adverse effects. After all the monitoring of therapy with
Liver and Renal Functions is expensive to most rural low socioeconomic
status infected in Africa.
5. It really doesnt eradicate HIV from all body tissues.
6. It gives false hope to some youth.
7. It is not readily available everywhere; apart from urban centres.
With these issues; shouldnt we be looking for a more comprehensive and
contextualized approach to HIV control apart from therapy and vaccine
production? How about a concerted multi-faceted preventive approach?
Paul Wangai Jr M.D, MPH, PhD
Consultant Physician
Nairobi, Kenya
Email: 100077.2020@compuserve.com
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