Sophia Hughes
Mon, Aug 7, 2023 10:00 PMDSD ART: A Game-Changer in HIV Care and Treatment in Nigeria
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In 2009, Floral Okon embarked on the journey of getting married, unaware of what HIV truly meant. As part of the church's pre-wedding requirements, Floral and her fiancé underwent an HIV test. When she received the news that her result was positive, she mistakenly believed it was a positive outcome. However, her fiancé called off the wedding due to her HIV-positive status.
This unfortunate turn of events could have shattered Floral's dreams, but instead, she became a survivor and an inspiration for others living with HIV. With the help of anti-retroviral drugs, Floral's viral load is now undetectable, and she is happily married with HIV-negative children.
Accessing medical care and medication as an HIV-positive individual was initially challenging for Floral. However, the introduction of Differentiated Service Delivery for HIV Treatment (DSD ART) by the Nigerian government changed everything.
DSD ART is a client-centered approach that simplifies and adapts HIV services to meet the unique needs of people living with HIV. It aims to reduce unnecessary burdens on the health system while improving health outcomes.
Nigeria embraced DSD ART in 2019, and its implementation has been a collaborative effort involving various stakeholders, including PEPFAR, the Global Fund, and civil society organizations. Currently, eight health facilities and six community-based DSD ART models are being implemented across the country.
One of the key benefits of DSD ART is the reduced workload on health facilities. Dr. Cheta Otodile, the ART Coordinator at the HIV/AIDS Resource Centre in Rivers State, attests to this positive change. The facility has transitioned from catering to approximately 70 clients per day to only 4 to 5 clients per day.
The shift away from the "one size fits all" model has allowed health facilities to tailor their HIV services to cater to the diverse group of people seeking treatment. Newcomers, individuals with opportunistic infections, and those needing follow-ups receive more intensive service delivery. Stable clients have the option to choose between facility-based or community-based DSD models for receiving their medication.
Dr. Otodile highlights the significance of the community-based model in reaching clients in remote, hard-to-reach areas. In these cases, drugs can be delivered to their homes or picked up from designated community pharmacies, ensuring continuity of treatment.
Dr. Clement Adesigbin, the head of the treatment component of the National AIDS and STIs Control Programme (NASCP), emphasizes the pivotal role of DSD ART in meeting the needs of people living with HIV and alleviating the burden on the health system.
The involvement of the World Health Organization (WHO) in providing technical guidance further enhances the success of DSD implementation in Nigeria. WHO Country Representative, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, praises Nigeria's achievements in terms of HIV diagnosis and treatment, stating that the country is close to achieving epidemic control.
Dr. Mulombo reiterates the importance of integrating DSD ART into primary health care services and communities. By bringing services closer to those who need them, DSD ART contributes to the goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and ultimately eliminating HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
The success stories of individuals like Floral Okon highlight the transformative power of DSD ART in Nigeria. With improved access to care and tailored HIV services, more people living with HIV can lead fulfilling, healthy lives. DSD ART has fundamentally changed the landscape of HIV care and treatment in Nigeria, bringing hope and progress to those affected by this disease.
Source of content: OOO News 2023-08-07 News
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