The latest publications of the United Nations Program show that HIV infections are on the rise in Suriname. Roomy one percent of the population is infected with HIV, but social taboos prevent open contact with those infected. Another big problem is getting medicines within reach of patients. Prevention prevents a lot of misery in this area, but it is precisely this that can often not be paid for.
Shortly before World AIDS Day (December 1), doctors such as internist-infectiologist Lycke Woittiez have sounded the alarm more often. The awareness for AIDS is in the background, because there is no money to keep the community awake in this area. Free condom distribution also no longer exists. Sometimes the supply of HIV medication is barely sufficient for the number of people infected. The same occurs in the treatment of tuberculosis.
Woittiez and Monique Holtuin (HIV focal point) say that a lack of money plays a part in healthcare. Holtuin reports that everything is being done to obtain alternative medication. Current procedures can discourage medication users. For example, people now receive medication for one month instead of six months.
Medication adherence is inevitable when dealing with this disease. In the absence of medicines, this process is destroyed and one has to start over. One pill a day can suppress the virus well in most people, so there are no complaints and people have the same life expectancy as someone who is not infected. The virus can then no longer be transmitted. This also applies to pregnant women on their children.
“It is cheaper to invest in medication because it works and saves further costs for the future,” says Holtuin.
Photo source: Aidsfonds
