Minister aware of WHP health woes

HEALTH Minister Sasa Zibe is aware of concerns raised by People Living with HIV (PLHIV) groups in Western Highlands province and would reply to their concerns through a press statement.
When contacted yesterday on the withdrawal of Global Fund to distribute anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs to the country, the minister said the issue was “very sensitive” and did not want to release any information (over the telephone) on the subject.
Mr Zibe, in Lae visiting his electorate, said he would make a response as soon as he returned to the capital on Jan 22.
Meanwhile, a provincial AIDS council coordinator said it could be a problem of placement of orders by the procurement officer.
He said applications for ARV had to be placed on time, following a standardised and accepted format by the aid agency.
The coordinator also said there were other aid agencies that supplied ARV and it was only a matter of following correct procedures to access these drugs.
In contrast with the Western Highlands province, staff member for Anua Moriri daycare centre, in Morobe province, said there was no concern for panic for PLHIV in the province, as there was enough stock.
The daycare centre provides ARV treatment for PLHIV in the province.
She said they did their regular stocktake and were up to date with stock intake.
She said there are other aid agencies that provide ARV drugs but confirmed that the drugs are distributed by the Department of Health.