Treatment Plan
15 November 2006
The Free State Department of Health's Comprehensive Care, Management and
Treatment Plan have made a significant progress in the implementation of the
antiretroviral (ARV) programme in the province.
An ARV site is defined as a treatment hospital with three referral
assessment clinics. Officials involved with the programme of ARV have been
undergoing intensive training conducted by the skills development unit. The
training consists of issues on patient flow, use of ARV medication, its side
effects, barriers and solutions.
Not everybody who is HIV positive needs ARV treatment. Our community should
understand that depending on your lifestyle, one could live a full and
productive life for many years without ARV medication.
The decision on whether you need ARVs is based on clinical assessment
(evidence), including CD4 count. ARV treatment will be provided to patients who
have a CD4 count of less than 200. If the CD4 count is above 200, you would be
encouraged to follow a healthy lifestyle and nutritional support.
ARV treatment process and diagnosis - Weight loss?
* If you are not on a diet and do not you know why you are losing weight,
also have diarrhoea and unexplained fever for more than a month, you must go to
the nearest clinic immediately.
* Many people do not realise that they have typical symptoms of HIV,
tuberculosis (TB), recurrent respiratory and sexually transmitted infections
(STIs), skin and mouth lesions and painless swollen glands are symptoms that
should be looked at immediately by a health care professional.
Local Clinic - Do you have some signs that you are concerned about?
* HIV counselling and testing is done confidentially
* Your finger will be pricked and the blood will be tested for HIV; results are
available within 30 minutes of completing the test.
* If you have tested positive, you do not need medicine immediately.
* You will now be referred to a designated clinic where further tests will be
done.
Assessment site: Why do need to do more tests?
* To determine your health history further examinations will be done.
* Blood will be drawn to get a CD4 count which will tell health professionals
how far your condition is.
* After five days you can come back to get the results.
* If your CD4 count is lower than 200 you will be asked to take your referral
letter and go to the hospital.
* If the CD4 count is higher than 200, you can go home without medication and
need to come back once every six months to repeat the CD4 test.
District:
Lejweleputswa
Assessment sites:
* Matjhabeng Clinic (Welkom)
* Phomolong Clinic (Henneman)
* Phahameng Clinic (Bultfontein)
* Albert Luthuli Clinic (Wesselsbron)
* Tshwaraganang Clinic (Hertzogville).
District:
Motheo
Assessment sites:
* Batho clinic (Bloemfontein)
* Heidedal Clinic (Bloemfontein)
* MUCPP (Bloemfontein)
* E section (Botshabelo clinic)
* J section (Botshabelo clinic).
District:
Fezile Dabi
Assessment sites:
* Zamdela Clinic (Sasolburg), Metsimaholo Clinic (Orangeville)
* Refengkgotso Clinic (Dennysville)
* Lesedi Clinic (Kronstad)
* Pax Clinic (Viljoenskroon)
* Sedibeng sa Bophelo Clinic (Steynsrus).
District:
Xhariep
Assessment sites:
* Bophelong Clinic (Petrusburg)
* Nelson Mandela Clinic (Edenburg)
* Itumeleng Clinic (Jagersfontein)
* Ethembeni Clinic (Koffiefontein)
* Lephoi Clinic (Bethulie)
* Thembalethu clinic (Smithfield).
District:
Thabo Mofutsanyana
Assessment sites:
* Tseki Clinic (Qwa-qwa)
* Tshiame Clinic (Harrismith)
* Namahadi Clinic (Qwa-qwa)
* Bohlokong Clinic (Bethlehem)
* Bophelong Clinic (Vrede)
* Mamello Clinic (Marguard).
Treatment sites
District:
Lejweleputswa
Treatment sites:
* Bongani Hospital (Welkom)
* Mohau Hospital(Hoopstad).
District:
Motheo
Treatment sites:
* National Hospital (Bloemfontein)
* Botshabelo Hospital (Botshabelo).
District:
Fezile Dabi
Treatment sites:
* Metsimaholo Hospital (Sasolburg)
* Boitumelo Hospital (Kroonstad)
* Lesedi Clinic (Kroonstad)
* Pax Clinic (Viljoenskroon).
District:
Xhariep
Treatment sites:
* Bophelong Clinic (Petersburg)
* Lephoi Clinic (Bethulie)
* Thembalethu Clinic (Smithfield).
District:
Thabo Mofutsanyana
Treatment sites:
* Mofumahadi Manapo Mopeli Hospital (Qwa-qwa)
* Phekolong Hospital (Bethlehem)
* Bophelong Clinic (Vrede)
* Mamello Clinic (Marguard).
Why the doctor wants to see you?
* The doctor needs to review your results, run further tests if necessary
and see if you are ready for treatment. And if you are you will be referred
back to the clinic for drug readiness training.
* Drug readiness training takes four weeks:
1. Week one:
You learn about disclosure and positive living.
2. Week two:
You learn about basics of HIV, CD4 and viral load.
3. Week three:
You learn about opportunistic infections, the ARV treatment plan and
adherence.
4. Week four:
You learn about the assessment whether you are ready for treatment both
socially and psychologically. After that you can return to the hospital, this
time for your prescription and drugs.
* After four weeks of drug readiness training: The doctor will review your
condition and give you a prescription; if you are a suitable candidate the
doctor will draw the baseline viral load.
* Dispensary: Before ARV medication is prescribed you will be given counselling
regarding the use of the medication and possible side effects.
1. After that you will be given the first month's supply.
2. Second month onwards you can get your medication from the clinic (only ARV
accredited sites), every month.
3. Every week of the first month you need to see the nurse at that ARV
accredited clinic.
ARV awareness campaigns took place from March 2006 � July 2006 in the
following towns:
Kroonstad
Smithfield
Edenburg
Zastron
Hoopstad
Ladybrand
Botshabelo
Bethelehem
Enquiries:
MP Mphapang
Tel: (051) 408 1706
Issued by: Department of Health, Free State Provincial Government
15 November 2006
