antiretroviral treatment (ART) programme that continues to excel
23 November 2006
Since May 2004, when the programme was launched, we managed to accredit 22
ART sites and currently 17 sites are operational, dealing with a total of over
22 933 patients who are on treatment. Three more sites will be operational by
the next financial year, 2007.
"With the province being over 75% rural the challenge will always be the
recruitment and retention of skilled health professionals to support such a
massive programme. We are really excited and upbeat with our Comprehensive Plan
and hope to expand these services to our Community Health Centres and other
small hospitals once we have dealt with the challenge of shortage of health
professionals, in particular doctorsâ situation, in terms of recruiting doctors
nearing a crisis, we are working around the clock not to have this problem
affecting our plan.
We have managed to recruit a number of Iranian doctors recently who have
been deployed in our hospitals. We are also delighted by commitment shown by
our health professionals who are committed to work at rural areas of our
province like Dr Vanga Siwisa, (medical doctor working at Taung Hospital ART)
who have just won Rural Doctor of the Year," said MEC Rasmeni.
The majority of the patients on treatment, including tuberculosis patients,
are benefiting from nutrition supplement provided by our hospitals and
dieticians as part of the overall plan, which emphasises good nutrition, drug
literacy, staff training and healthy lifestyles. A total of 1 259 health
professionals have been trained from 2004 to date to manage the programme with
strong emphasis on drug literacy, managing the complications and ensuring that
patients do not default.
Since end of October 2006 the programme has recorded 22 933 as opposed to
the annual target of 20 448. This is a strong sign that we are making a dent in
the fight against the pandemic. With support from a number of institutions like
the foundation for Professional Development, Love Line, Reproductive Research
Unit, International Association of Physicians in Aids Care and MEDUNSA, we are
making headway in terms of our capacity building programme on the clinical and
human resources sides.
At the speed we are currently moving and with the type of support we receive
from stakeholders like the Provincial Council on Aids and the traditional
leaders and healers in the province we are certain that we will reach the
magical figures of 50 000 by the end of 2010. Meanwhile the province is
preparing itself to commemorate World Aids Day on 1 December 2006 at Tlhabane
Stadium in the Bojanala District.
This will be an occasion where we also release the provincial figures of the
2005/06 HIV prevalence antenatal survey results on pregnant mothers visiting
our facilities.
Summary of patients on treatment as at 2005 (NB: CUMULATIVE)
Central district:
1. Gelukspan: 148
2. Mafikeng: 2 970
3. Gen. De la Rey: 5 32
4. Thusong: 125
5. Lehurutshe: 525
6. Zeerust: site still being renovated
Bojanala district:
7. Swartruggens: 186
8. George Stegman: 116
9. Rustenburg: 4 642
10. Brits: 1 156
11. Odi: 727
12. Jubilee: 1 116
Bophirima
13. Taung: 2 459
14. Ganyesa: 917
15. Tshwaragano: doctor and pharmacist resigned. Currently managing down
referred patients from Taung
16. Schweizer-Reneke: site still under renovation and managing down referred
patients.
17. Vryburg Southern: 71
18. Klerksdorp: 5 864
19. Potchefstroom: 1 283
20. Nick Bodenstein: 94
Total: 22 933
Enquiries:
Zakes Molala
Acting Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: (018) 387 5830
Fax: (018) 387 5830
E-mail: lmolala@nwpg.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Health, North West Provincial Government
23 November 2006
Source: North West Provincial Government (http://www.nwhealth.gov.za)
