Displaced people infected with virus struggle for ARVs

By John Oywa

Today you see them tomorrow they are gone. This is the unpredictable life of IDPs uprooted from their homes in post-election violence.

But beneath the ‘nomadic-like’ life of the IDPs lies a sad tale of a silent minority, those living with HIV/ Aids.

Rights activists and HIV and Aids control campaigners have raised concern IDPs living with the virus, risk failing to access the life-prolonging drugs (ARVs).

This is because many fled their former locations where they used to access the drugs.

Interruption of ARV therapy could also make them develop resistance to the drugs, according to the World Health Organisation.

At the height of the skirmishes, many IDPs on ARVs are said to have missed their monthly prescriptions.

Some NGOs working with people living with HIV and Aids, such as the Eldoret based AMPATH and the International Medical Charity, MÈdecins Sans FrontiËres (MSF), had to use the media to trace IDPs on their ARV registers.

They and the Ministry of Health installed telephone hotlines where patients called to enquire on the nearest clinics, where they could get the ARVs.

There have been fears when the Government closed down the camps two months ago, some IDPs, especially those who relocated to Naivasha and Laikipia, may have had problems getting their monthly doses.

At no risK

But the Kenya National Aids Control Council has allayed fears some IDPs risk dying due to lack of the ARVs. The council’s Director Alloys Orago said the Government and its collaborators had availed ARVs.

He advised the IDPs to pick the drugs from the nearest health facility. "Everyone can now access the drugs, but what is important is we want all Kenyans to know their HIV status," said Prof Orago.

A human rights activist in Kericho Samwel Sang, however, said the biggest problem facing IDPs living with HIV and Aids, was poverty. "They are being given ARVs, but where is food? Taking these drugs in an empty stomach will make them die faster," said Mr Sang.

He said the Government should provide food to the IDPs on the Aids drugs.