Fifty one (51) new public health facilities in the North West province have been accredited to offer antiretrovirals (ARVs) as part of new policy on preventing and treating HIV. The number is in addition to twenty nine (29) existing sites. The province has also increased a number of people on ARVs by from 83 770 in April to 122 379.
Twenty nine (29) community-based organisations and ninety (90) clinics have been accredited as part of down referral programme. Accredited sites refer stable patients to community-based organisations and clinics where quality comprehensive HIV/AIDS care, management and treatment (CCMT) can be continued thereby ensuring monitoring of drug adherence and tracing of patients who default treatment.
This strategy is consistent with the World Health Organisation’s recommendation that health care systems urgently shift from acute, hospital-based care to community-based and patient-centred chronic care.
Enquiries:
Tebogo Lekgethwane
Department Spokesperson
Cell: 0829299958
E-mail: tlekgethwane@nwpg.gov.za
