Students Urged To Consider ARV Treatment

Anti-Retroviral drugs (ARV) are considered to be the most ideal and effective treatment for HIV and AIDS, a disease that has continued to affect masses of people the world over.
As research into the possible remedial and medication to cure people infected with HIV/AIDS continues, various Governments have come up with mitigation measures that is helping to prolong the life span of patients suffering from the disease.
One such country that is battling to combat the epidemic is Namibia. With an estimated population of 1.8million people, the country is believed to be among one of the countries with the highest infection rates and emerges as the fifth highest country hit with HIV/AIDS in the world, according to the Joint Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS).
Against this background, the Namibian Government came up with a policy framework under the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS) which provides for ARV treatment to those found to be infected with the virus and have a very low CD4 count.
However, against all odds the onset of ARV’s has had a lot of stigma attached to it and the government has embarked on sensitisation programme provides information which has seen the attitude of people slowly but surely change for the betterment of their lives.
UNAM HIV/AIDS Focal Point Person Dr.Scholastic Lipinge says there is need for students who are found to be HIV positive and whose CD4 count is low to start ARV treatment.
Dr.Lipinge says although there are no specific guidelines for the University but ARV Guidelines of the Government are applied to all those that need treatment.
‘’Access to ARVs to students follows the same guidelines as set out by the Ministry of Health. One’s CD4 count should be at least 250 or less to qualify to receive ARV,’’said Lipinge.
She explained that there are other social criteria that also need to be met such as access to food, treatment supporter and adherence to counselling adding that some of these could be barriers for one to be put on ARV treatment.
Lipinge further said students are treated as state patients unless they have medical aid which means the waiting maybe long sometimes for all those that may qualify for treatment.
She has advised students to consider the therapy because it accords regular counselling which helps in coping with the condition and health workers also assist in ensuring that one adheres to instructions related to the administering of ARV treatment.