Hertta-Maria Amutenja
At least 11 700 children living with HIV in Namibia were able to improve their health while on a new treatment regimen for HIV-positive children and adolescents.
The antiretroviral therapy known as the Dolutegravir-based (DTG) regimen, was introduced by the Ministry of Health and Social Services last year and is said to be more effective at suppressing HIV viral loads, less likely to cause side effects, easier to take, and is better tasting than other medicines for children.
The introduction of this new medicine in Namibia was achieved through a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Health’s partners such as the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through funding from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
The United States Government has partnered with the Ministry of Health and Social Services throughout the entire process, from the initial procurement of the medicines to
CDC Namibia Country Director, Brian Baker, said: “Providing DTG-based medicines for children and adolescents living with HIV is life-changing. Children deserve the best chance to live long, healthy and happy lives, and through support from the U.S. Government, we have done our part to help achieve this for a critical group of young people in Namibia.”
Becker added that providing care in a way that meets their needs is what it means to provide child-friendly healthcare.
“Children and adolescents living with HIV need to take medicine for the rest of their lives. By keeping the virus undetectable in their body, they can remain healthy, and they can’t pass the virus on to other people. When we optimize their treatment regimen during childhood, we help to set up the next generation of adults, leaders, parents, friends, and family, for the best possible success,” he added.
Furthermore, according to the US Embassy, there are still challenges to address in the treatment and care of children living with HIV in Namibia and collaborative goals between the Ministry of Health and the U.S. government will strengthen HIV care and treatment for children and adolescents in 2023.
The process will include the training of more healthcare providers on how to explain to children why they take medicine and how important it is to take each day; continued support for older HIV-positive adolescents to take a leadership role to support other HIV-positive children and adolescents; and starting support groups for parents and caregivers of children and adolescents living with HIV to better provide them with the support they need.
