Provision of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs in the Mamou, Labé and Faranah regions

Project description

Title: Provision of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs in the Mamou, Labé and Faranah regions
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Country: Guinea
Lead executing agency: Decentralised health centres
Overall term: 2012 to 2014

Context

The tense economic and social situation in Guinea is having an adverse impact on the health sector. 1.7% of the national population are affected by HIV/AIDS, and the percentage is much higher for particularly disadvantaged and at-risk population groups.

To compensate for the temporary bottlenecks in deliveries in the state health service, GIZ has taken over the supply of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs. Interruption of antiretroviral therapy endangers patients individually, and also results in a substantial additional burden on the health care system through possible development of resistance and the resulting therapeutic costs. The supply of drugs is intended to give the Guinean Government the opportunity to secure a continuing supply for the long term through other donors.

Objective

Long-term antiretroviral therapy is being continued. The quality of treatment provided by medical staff via the decentralised health services has improved.

Approach

The project supplies some 3,000 people with antiretroviral (ARV) drugs through the decentralised health services. In consideration of the increased risk for women of contracting HIV/AIDS, 60% of the drugs are distributed to women.

Besides supplying drugs, support is provided to the decentralised health services to help them improve their performance in distribution and therapy monitoring. Self-help groups for people living with HIV/AIDS are also continuing to be supported in their work. This includes such tasks as advising people before and after they take an HIV test and raising awareness among the population of what can be done to combat the epidemic.

The project helps ensure a continuous supply of ARV drugs and contributes towards preventing the development of resistance. This relieves the financial burden on the Guinean health care system. Through the project’s work, the country’s decentralised health facilities are being strengthened.