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HIV/AIDS program
Since 2007, MSF has been successfully treating patients with HIV/AIDS at Kindamba hospital, a small and very basic rural healthcare facility.
In some cases patients have been pulled from the brink of death to become functioning human beings again, after only a few months of treatment. The transformations can be startling. Not only do the patients benefit, so do their families and communities.
Dr. Ahmed (left) and Dr. Sam (right).
The Kindamba hospital program shows that HIV/AIDS can be treated effectively in rural Africa. It doesn’t take much. The solar-powered lab facilities are basic – only CD4 counts and liver function tests are needed here.
Dr. Sam talks about HIV treatment (English) – 1.1MB MP3
Dr. Sam talks about HIV treatment (Français) – 1.1MB MP3
Patients take inexpensive, high-quality generic HIV drugs. This is the key – using generic drugs allows MSF to treat more patients.
Shipment of MSF medications from the International Dispensary Association (IDA).
It’s also possible to treat people more effectively with generics. A single generic formulation can combine several different drugs that otherwise would have to be taken separately. This makes it easier for patients to take their medication.
And after MSF leaves, generic drugs remain affordable to governments that are motivated to continue providing treatment to people living with HIV/AIDS. When MSF withdraws from Congo, the Kindamba patients will continue their treatment at the government hospital in Mindouli, about 80km away.
None of this would be possible with expensive, patented HIV medicines. Visit the Campaign for Access to Essential Medicines website to learn why [http://www.accessmed-msf.org].
More than bandages.
Dr. Sam is a Congolese physician who has worked with MSF in Kindamba since 2006. He is a short, round-faced laughing Buddha of a guy, probably one of the warmest people I have ever met in my life. If someone mentions his name, you start feeling better right away. Here he talks about treating HIV/AIDS at Kindamba hospital.
Dr. Sam!
March 27th, 2008 at 1:01 am
Thanks Jake,
I didn’t know about the IDA…that’s good info. I had thought that project supplies came through MSFL in Mérignac. Do you place orders with the IDA direct? or do you send orders to MSF Holland in the capital who then pass it on to MSFL who then pass it on to IDA? I’m very interested in the whole process. Love your blog.
Cheers,
Warren