Department of Health responds to allegations of shortage of ARV’s

Lusanda Bill
29 November 2013

Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi said they are working to have ARV medication packaged and labelled with patients names.

Minister Motsoaledi said there will be challenges especially that there are 2.4 million people on treatment in the country. 

The ARV’s will be packed right from the manufacturer directly to where the person wants to receive them. 

Ministerial Spokesperson Joe Maila said we are still working on the programme and it will help us a great deal to ease off the pressure from facilities as to when people go to collect their medication.

Meanwhile responding to allegations by NGO Stop Stock Outs Project regarding alleged shortage of ARV’s in clinics Minister Motsoaledi said this is not true. 

Ministerial Spokesperson Joe Maila said the report by the NGO is misguiding this matter needs to be dealt with in a manner that helps and gives hope to the people who are living with HIV and Aids in the country.

Maila said we have the busiest HIV treatment programmes where we have 2.4 million people on treatment and therefore you expect some challenges in terms of logistics to handle such a big programme.