N$780m paid annually for HIV patients
JEMIMA BEUKES
WINDHOEK
It costs the Namibian government about N$780 million per year to treat the estimated 200 000 people living with HIV in the country.
The latest report by the ministry of health also found that the government pays three times more than the average cost to treat people who do not adhere to their HIV treatment.
With an estimated 200 000 people living with HIV, Namibia is one of the most affected countries.
It costs the government an average of N$10 845 a year to treat one unstable adult HIV-positive patient, and an average of N$12 000 for an unstable adolescent patient, the report states.
It costs an average of N$3 900 per year to treat a stable patient and N$6 585 to treat a stable adolescent patient.
The report adds that it costs the government an average of N$11 790 to treat an unstable paediatric HIV patient and N$5 625 to treat a stable paediatric patient.
According to the report, laboratory services are the most expensive component, at an average of N$2 520 per patient for patients on anti-retroviral treatment (ART).
It further costs the government an average of N$7 215 to treat a virally suppressed patient. The cost varies according to age: N$6 735 for adults, N$12 990 for adolescents, N$11 400 for children and N$11 565 for infants.
The number of ART patients at the study sites ranged from 1 000 to 7 000 per year, with up to 98.3% of them being adults.
The report found that new and unstable patients of all ages made up to seven clinic visits per year, while stable patients made on average only two visits. The report shows that by September 2018, more than 250 health facilities were providing HIV care and treatment services in Namibia.
Do the right thing
Health minister Kalumbi Shangula says lowering the cost of treatment by patients adhering to the treatment regimen is a message everyone wants to hear.
“This report shows us that providing quality care and treatment services to people living with HIV is not just the right thing to do morally, it is also the right thing to do financially,” he said.
He added that when the costs are reduced, the health ministry can divert resources to other needs.
According to him, the Covid-19 response has had a devastating impact on the country's healthcare, economy and the lives of individuals.
“If you are HIV positive, this is yet another reason to keep taking your medicine daily as prescribed to stay healthy. When you are healthy, you need fewer visits to the clinic and this reduces your possible exposure to Covid-19 infection,” he said.
[email protected]
WINDHOEK
It costs the Namibian government about N$780 million per year to treat the estimated 200 000 people living with HIV in the country.
The latest report by the ministry of health also found that the government pays three times more than the average cost to treat people who do not adhere to their HIV treatment.
With an estimated 200 000 people living with HIV, Namibia is one of the most affected countries.
It costs the government an average of N$10 845 a year to treat one unstable adult HIV-positive patient, and an average of N$12 000 for an unstable adolescent patient, the report states.
It costs an average of N$3 900 per year to treat a stable patient and N$6 585 to treat a stable adolescent patient.
The report adds that it costs the government an average of N$11 790 to treat an unstable paediatric HIV patient and N$5 625 to treat a stable paediatric patient.
According to the report, laboratory services are the most expensive component, at an average of N$2 520 per patient for patients on anti-retroviral treatment (ART).
It further costs the government an average of N$7 215 to treat a virally suppressed patient. The cost varies according to age: N$6 735 for adults, N$12 990 for adolescents, N$11 400 for children and N$11 565 for infants.
The number of ART patients at the study sites ranged from 1 000 to 7 000 per year, with up to 98.3% of them being adults.
The report found that new and unstable patients of all ages made up to seven clinic visits per year, while stable patients made on average only two visits. The report shows that by September 2018, more than 250 health facilities were providing HIV care and treatment services in Namibia.
Do the right thing
Health minister Kalumbi Shangula says lowering the cost of treatment by patients adhering to the treatment regimen is a message everyone wants to hear.
“This report shows us that providing quality care and treatment services to people living with HIV is not just the right thing to do morally, it is also the right thing to do financially,” he said.
He added that when the costs are reduced, the health ministry can divert resources to other needs.
According to him, the Covid-19 response has had a devastating impact on the country's healthcare, economy and the lives of individuals.
“If you are HIV positive, this is yet another reason to keep taking your medicine daily as prescribed to stay healthy. When you are healthy, you need fewer visits to the clinic and this reduces your possible exposure to Covid-19 infection,” he said.
[email protected]
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