Kalangala District, located in Uganda’s island region, is grappling with a shortage of Antiretroviral (ARV) drugs, causing alarm among individuals dependent on these life-saving medications. The scarcity has particularly impacted health centers like Mugoye Health Centre III and Kasekuro Health Centre II in Mugoye Sub-county.
The Infectious Disease Institute (IDI), responsible for managing the HIV/AIDS program in the islands, has resorted to borrowing ARV drugs from Masaka Regional Referral Hospital to address the shortfall in affected health centers. Mugoye Health Centre III and Kasekuro Health Centre II have been the hardest hit by the drug shortage.
Josephine Nakajugo, a nurse at Mugoye Health Centre III’s Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) clinic, highlighted the erratic supply of ARV drugs since January. She noted that the available drugs cannot meet the recommended dosage for all patients. Consequently, patients are currently receiving a one-month supply of drugs, a departure from the previous practice where supplies could last between three and nine months.
Data from Mugoye Health Centre III indicates that 65 young patients and five elderly individuals are at risk due to the drug shortage. Maintaining a consistent supply of ARV drugs is crucial for patients to adhere to their treatment regimen and suppress their viral load.
Teddy Namuli, the district HIV/AIDS head, emphasized the importance of patients adhering to ARV treatment to prevent complications and transmission of the virus. She expressed hope that collaboration with Masaka Regional Referral Hospital and other health centers would mitigate the current shortages.
John Kayima Muzeeyi, the Mugoye Sub-county chairperson, expressed doubt regarding the government’s ability to achieve its 2030 goal of eliminating new HIV/AIDS infections. He urged the government to prioritize HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment in Kalangala District by ensuring adequate testing kits and drug supplies.
Despite challenges, Kalangala District has made progress in reducing HIV/AIDS prevalence, attributed to drug availability and community sensitization efforts. However, the district’s unique geographical makeup, with 64 inhabited islands and only 10 health facilities providing ARV treatment, poses challenges in accessing timely treatment for patients on remote islands.
