BY BANELE MAGONGO
MBABANE – In commemoration of Global Health Week, Government, through the Ministry of Health, recommends that people who test positive for HIV should begin antiretroviral treatment (ARVs) as soon as possible.
ARVs reduce the production of viruses in the body, preventing further damage to the body’s cells and helping to maintain overall health.
This was said by Ministry of Health Treatment Adherence Officer Nompilo Gwebu during an interview at Eswatini TV. Gwebu said patients undergoing treatment for HIV were given extensive counseling before beginning their medication regimen.
This counseling includes an assessment of their knowledge of the virus and its treatment, as well as regular follow-up phone calls to check on their progress and answer any questions they may have.
During their regular visits to pick up medication, patients are also given the opportunity to ask for clarification on any aspect of their treatment. Gwebu emphasized that understanding and adherence to the treatment plan is crucial to maintaining the health of those living with HIV.
She explained that the ministry worked with various communities to educate and raise awareness about HIV, training individuals within those communities to be peer educators. These peer educators focus on educating patients about the importance of adhering to their medication regimen and the importance of being honest about their adherence. They also educate people living with HIV about the increased risk of other diseases, such as tuberculosis, and how to protect their health.
According to Gwebu, the goal of starting patients on ARVs as soon as possible is to surprise the virus and prevent further damage to the body’s cells. She also mentioned that the viral load in the patient’s system was monitored closely during the first six months of treatment, as this was a critical time for assessing how well the medication was working. She stressed the importance of taking the medication with clean water, as this helps to ensure that the medication was absorbed properly and can work effectively.
She also emphasised the importance of partners being supportive of each other during this time, as it can be difficult for people living with HIV to adhere to their medication regimen. She also discussed the importance of preventing the transmission of HIV from mother to child, which could be done through prenatal care and the use of antiviral medication. She stressed that it was important for partners to work together to prevent the spread of HIV and protect the health of their family.
