Chief Chanje says people living positively with HIV in his area are struggling to access Anti-Retroviral Therapy

Chief Chanje of the Chewa people in Chipata has bemoaned lack of ART, Anti-Retroviral Therapy services in his chiefdom.
The traditional leader told Breeze News that people who are on ART find it very difficult to access drugs due to the long distance to the nearest ART centre.
He says that people have to cover distances of between 8 to 12 kilometres to access the service, which is currently being offered at Mkanda Clinic.
The chief has therefore, called on government to consider taking ART services to Rukuzye Rural Health Centre, which will be closer to the people.
And TB/HIV Coordinator from Chipata District Health Office, Edwin Simukanga acknowledged the long distance, which some patients have to walk to access the service.
Mr. Simukanga however, indicated that plans are underway by the Ministry of Health to setup another ART Centre at Rukuzye Rural Health Centre.
He says the district health office is waiting for the provincial health office to send a clinical officer, who will administer the drugs at Rukuzye RHC.
Mr Simukanga was speaking to Breeze News at Chief Chanje’s palace, where he was invited together with staff from NZP+ to discuss ways of finding a lasting solution to the problem of ART services.