Why have HIV drugs stopped working for people in PNG?

For much of the world, anti-viral drugs mean that HIV is no longer the death sentence it was once considered to be.

"It's the highest rate of drug resistance in all of Asia and the Pacific and the fourth highest in the whole world," director of UN AIDS for Asia and the Pacific Eamonn Murphy said.Drug resistance can occur if someone has been on the treatment for a long time, but it is most often caused by people not taking the medication every day and as directed.Some people in PNG are now being infected with the drug-resistant strain.

Ms Elaripe said she doesn't know what caused her drug-resistance at the time, as she had been taking her medication consistently. "I have asked for a number of opinions from doctors — some are saying I could be developing resistance and I need to switch toBut she worries swapping to a third drug now will limit her options if she develops further resistance in the future.ART works by suppressing the "viral load" of HIV in the body, stopping person-to-person transmission and preventing the virus from progressing to AIDS.

HIV medication must be taken regularly, but poverty and stigma means some patients in PNG don't get regular access to the drugs they need. Sister Rinda Tai, who runs a clinic for HIV patients in Mount Hagen, said she raised concerns with them about the shortages last year.Sister Tai said drug shortages are so upsetting for her and other staff because they have to tell patients who are doing the right thing that there aren't enough supplies."It's all over the country and whatever little we have we try to maintain and supply equally to all the patients.

"So, when I have [the] first baby, I know that I have got job to do: to look after my baby, so that kept me strong." Ms Ishmael grows and sells vegetables to provide for her family and says she has also struggled with attending all her appointments and regularly picking up her medication."Sometimes I have no things to sell, so I have no bus fare, sometimes I miss my day to come back and collect my ART."

are you sure they are getting the real drug?

I've spent years in PNG. It is like no other place I've ever lived/worked. the corruption, tribal/wantok warfare and lack of infrastructure will always prevent progress. they still burn people alive for witchcraft, and many still believe aids/other diseases is evil spirit caused.

Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Baseball bats and boa constrictors: Why Maguire is the man the Wests Tigers needThe Tigers coach has dumped two club legends in the past fortnight. It's only the beginning of the revolution that must happen at the club. SMHsport Thanks Webby, great article and well written as usual!!
Source: smh - 🏆 6. / 80 Read more »

Fitzy says dumped CEO shouldn't be only cricket casualtyCricket Australia axed its CEO but that shouldn't be the end of the rolling heads, Peter FitzSimons says. Yes, the pirates head should roll too Australias biggest wanker just can never shut up. Either agree with him or you are wrong. Stopped watching as soon as I saw him on the show. Time for the pirate Peter_Fitz to walk the plank as well.
Source: wwos - 🏆 12. / 68 Read more »

Australia’s minimum wage to increase by $13 a weekThe national minimum wage will rise by 1.75 per cent to $753.80 a week from 1 July, the Fair Work Commission has announced. They mustn't have high hopes for inflation... 1.75 percent.. Time to get that deposit down eh? Things are looking up....almost $2 a day extra
Source: SBSNews - 🏆 3. / 89 Read more »

'Please to stop the hate and fighting': Melbourne Storm players appeal to teens after stabbingAs police prepare for revenge attacks over the killing of Solomone Taufeulungaki, NRL players send their love to his family and ask for people to live together harmoniously. Send them home Lol please stop the hate, ABC FakeNews pot, meet kettle Pleas perhaps?
Source: abcnews - 🏆 5. / 83 Read more »

Heavy police presence to remain in Melbourne's west to stop revenge attacks over teen's stabbing deathPolice are desperately engaging with schools and teenagers in Melbourne's west to prevent an escalation of violence after 15-year-old Solomone Taufeulungaki was stabbed to death this week. Ahh , diversity is our strength . Multiculturalism working well, I see. Some classic doublethink here: 'Melbourne was a safe city, it was also a growing capital city in excess of 5 million people, which brought with it higher levels of crime.' So they will protect foreigners but not Aussies, got it.
Source: abcnews - 🏆 5. / 83 Read more »

Police find 360kg of drug ice in furniture container from MalaysiaThe Australian Federal Police estimates the haul to be worth about $180 million and enough to supply 3.6 million drug hits. not the sweet manjula PeterSmears ... 360,000 shots and ? young people protected from addition ... unless you take the stance only the weak and pathetic get addicted, in which case, enjoy yourself ... Well no wonder why my ikea delivery didn't arrive 😅😅
Source: 9NewsAUS - 🏆 10. / 72 Read more »