The Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, Bauchi State chapter, yesterday sought the state government’s intervention in the treatment of members to curtail health complications among them.
Coordinator of the network, Mr Abdullahi Ibrahim, told reporters in Bauchi that the N3, 000 cost of the biannual haematology screening had scared members away from attending clinics.
He added that members could no longer access free supplements and anti-malarial drugs in dedicated facilities since 2014.
“The cost of treatment is a burden to our members as only the antiretroviral drugs and sometimes Septrin, anti-malarial drugs are provided to patients free by development partners.
“Our members visit primary health care centres for drugs only since the haematology screening is conducted only at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH).
“The idea is that, if a house head has dependents that are all positive for the virus, he cannot afford to pay the bills.
“This will make the family members’ health to deteriorate.
“People with HIV are to go through haematology screening after every six months and the charge at ATBUTH is N3, 000.
“We are grateful to the present Chief Medical Director at ATBUTH who slashed the amount by 50 per cent to support us.
“If a client does not take the test, he or she will not know his or her condition,” Ibrahim said.
The coordinator acknowledged that the state government was committed to the fight against the spread of the disease.