“Despite the assurances by the Ministry for Health lots of people, some of who have contacted us, who rely on HIV medication for their quality of life and their health are finding themselves in an extraordinary situation of uncertainty”, said ADPD Secretary General Ralph Cassar.

“As people continue to message NGOs about the lack of HIV medication, we are wondering what could have been done to prevent this situation. While many are saying that the new medication is ready to be distributed, patients have been put in a position where they are without their usual, daily medication which they need in order to keep their T-cell count low. Better planning is of the essence if we are to mitigate the suffering of people. We ask that this situation be rectified as soon as possible.”

***

Mhux aċċettabbli li l-mediċina tal-HIV ma tkunx aċċessibbli

Is-Segretarju Ġenerali ta’ ADPD, Ralph Cassar qali li mhux aċċettabbli li l-mediċina tal-HIV ma tkunx aċċessibbli għal min għandu bżonnha. “Minkejja l-assigurazzjonijiet tal-Ministeru tas-Saħħa, ikkuntattjawna xi persuni li qalulna li bosta persuni li jiddependu għal saħħithom fuq mediċina li tikkontrolla l-HIV sabu ruħhom f’sitwazzjoni ta’ inkwiet u inċertezza kbira għax ma sabux il-kura essenzjali li għandhom bżonn”. 

“Imn’alla kienu l-NGOs li qed jaħdmu qatiegħ biex jgħinu lill-persuni li għandhom bżonn aċċess għall-mediċina li tikkontrolla l-HIV. Il-mistoqsija hija ovvja: għaliex wasalna f’dis-sitwazzjoni? X’mar hażin? Filwaqt li qed jingħad li l-mediċini l-ġodda tal-HIV waslu u lesti biex jitqassmu lil min għandu bżonnhom, xorta waħda spiċċajna f’sitwazzjoni fejn pazjenti sabu ruħhom jinkwietaw li ma jistgħux iżommu mar-reġim ta’ kura li jirrikjedi doża ta’ mediċina regolari u ta’ kuljum. Hemm bżonn ippjanar aħjar biex ma nerġgħux naslu f’dis-sitwazzjoni.”