|
|
|
|
| National |
| Mzuzu launches free ARV Clinic |
|
by
Francis Tayanjah-Phiri, 02 July 2004
-
16:15:59
|
People in the Northern region now have a chance to access free Anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs) from closer home following the launch of an ARV clinic on Thursday at the Mzuzu Central Hospital.
The clinic, christened Rainbow (ARV) Clinic, is equipped with one of the most modern CD 4 Count machines, used to detect immunity among HIV patients, before they are prescribed with the ARVs, according to Dr. Joseph Yu, Director for the Chinese Medical Mission in Malawi.
Dr. Solomon Chen, Health Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy, said the CD 4 Count machine was donated by the Taiwan government, which has supported health initiatives in the country through the Chinese Medical Mission, government's main partner for the Mzuzu Central Hospital.
“We are proud that the Mzuzu Central hospital becomes the first in this region to provide free ARV clinic to the masses of Malawi. I commend the Ministry of Health, National Aids Commission and all other stakeholders for their financial support that has enabled the clinic to acquire the ARVs to be offered free,” said Chen.
He said the launching of the clinic was a step in the right direction, bearing in mind that the prevalence of HIV/Aids in the country was very high and the virus was now the leading cause of death for masses.
Said Chen: “We aim to provide three million people with ARVs through this initiative by 2005. Of course, the task is not easy because of demand.”
Chen advised that under good management of such drugs, an Aids patient could lead a very normal life, but stressed that acquisition of ARVs alone cannot solve the problem. He said for the initiatives to succeed, there was need for total behavioural change, which would help contain spread of the scourge.
Mzuzu University vice chancellor, Professor Peter Mwanza said at the opening function that the opening of the clinic was a dream come-true for people in the North, who had to go to Lilongwe for similar services.
Mwanza, who was the guest of honour commended the Malawi government and its partners for not only reducing the distance people have to travel to access the drug but also for making the drug free.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
