ZAMBIA: Lack of health facility prevents AIDS drug access

The lack of a hospital in Zambia's Samfya district is hindering access to antiretrovirals and fuelling the spread of HIV/AIDS in the area, officials have charged.

According to acting district commissioner Bruce Mubuka, 149 of the 806 people who enrolled for voluntary counselling and testing in the third quarter of 2004 were HIV-positive.

He told the local Post newspaper: "Samfya district has no district hospital, making the administration of anti-AIDS drugs a complex issue - we need a district hospital urgently."

Noting that at present the only means of tackling the pandemic was through awareness programmes, Mubuka also called for the Provincial AIDS Task Force to be strengthened, and the provision of land and water transport for AIDS outreach activities.

Theme (s): Care/Treatment - PlusNews,

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]