Government has dismissed a report by Kasama member of parliament, Sibongile Mwamba, suggesting that Northern Province has a shortage of Anti-Retroviral (ARV) Drugs.
Northern Province Permanent Secretary, Bernard Mpundu says currently, 60,593 clients are on the first-line treatment regimen, with 58,661 adults above 15 years and 1,932 children under 15 receiving treatments.
Addressing the Media today, Mr. Mpundu assured the nation that the province has a sufficient stockpile of ARV drugs.
“Notably, Kasama District has a surplus stock that can last over nine months, while Kasama General Hospital’s stock can last over 15 months for clients under the second line regimen”, said Mr. Mpundu.
He said that an additional 168 clients are on the second-line regimen, comprising 158 adults and 10 children.
Mr. Mpundu also revealed that the province’s stock levels can sustain clients on the first-line treatment for over three months and those on the second-line treatment for over two months.
He has since appealed to Members of Parliament to be factual before making pronouncements that border on the health of the citizens as this has the potential of bringing panic to the public.
By Chimba Chilopa
