International organization Global Fund has awarded USD$7.6 million to the Timorese Ministry of Health to funds programs to increase knowledge in Timor-Leste about HIV transmission and to provide treatment to Timorese already infected with the virus.
Global Fund Administrator in Timor-Leste Doctor Telma de Oliveira said the funds are for three years from 2014-2016 for the purchase of medicines and to raise awareness in the community.
Doctor de Oliveira acknowledged that in early 2014 Anti Retro Viral (ARV) drugs were out of stock but that now the drug is available for HIV/AIDS patients.
“I am confident the ARV drugs won’t run out of stock any more or expire because we have now an adequate database system to help the management of the drugs and to attend those infected with the virus.”
She added Timorese infected with the HIV virus are able to receive ARV drugs at ARV centres established by the Ministry of Health, at health centres in Dili and also at referral hospitals around the country.
Executive Director of Estrela Plus organization that provides health care services including treatment to HIV sufferers, Ines Lopes said their services are being administered adequately due to the support they are receiving from the Global Fund. Yet she added that their services only cover patients living in the capital.
Director Lopes urged the Ministry of Health to use the funds of the Global Fund adequately to fund and strengthen important programs because the funds will run out eventually.
“I hope the government will be taking over responsibility for providing assistance once the funds of the Global Fund run out to HIV patients are able to continue receiving adequate health care assistance,” she added.
Meanwhile the Executive Secretary of the National Commission Against HIV/AIDS Daniel Marçal said the government is paying serious attention to the issue in attempts to try and reduce rates of HIV/AIDS infection in Timor-Leste by raising awareness and undertaking preventative education about HIV modes of transmission in the community.
Marçal added the government has provided better conditions for those infected with the HIV including medicines, treatment and other conditions but only few of those infected chose to take the treatment.
“I think the government has tried in different ways to provide health care assistance for HIV patients but they are unsure about receiving treatment because they are afraid and ashamed.”
