The World Health Organisation has directed that all persons infected with HIV be allowed to begin the anti-retroviral treatment.
A statement by the health organisation said the recommendation will help eliminate all limitations for HIV patients to commence treatment with the anti-retroviral therapy (ART).
“The expanded use of anti-retroviral treatment is supported by recent findings from clinical trials confirming that early use of ART keeps people living with HIV alive, healthier and reduces the risk of transmitting the virus to partners. WHO now also recommends that people at “substantial” risk of HIV should be offered preventive anti-retroviral treatment.” WHO statement said.
With the recommendation termed: “treat all”, every person – of all age and population – living with the virus is now eligible for treatment.
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WHO said its new recommendation leverages on the 2014 WHO guidance to offer a combination of anti-retroviral drugs to prevent HIV acquisition termed pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for men who have sex with men.
The organisation said evidences from the effectiveness of the prophylaxis lead to the support of PrEP for all groups at risk of contacting HIV as a preventive measure for all.
“PrEP should be seen as an additional prevention choice based on a comprehensive package of services, including HIV testing, counselling and support and access to condoms and safe injection equipment,” WHO said.
It added that new recommendations on early use of ART and expanded offer of PrEP are contained in a new WHO’s guideline on when to start anti-retroviral therapy and on pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV patients.
WHO also said that to effectively implement this recommendation, countries will need to ensure that testing and treatment for HIV infection are readily available and that those undergoing treatment are supported to adhere to recommended regimens and are retained in care.
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WHO hinted that based on “treat all” recommendation, the number of people eligible for anti-retroviral treatment globally would increase from 28 million to all 37 million.
In Nigeria, out of an estimated 3.5 million people living with HIV, only 700, 000 are currently receiving the treatment.
The director general of the national agency for the control of aids, John Idoko is yet to reply Naij.com inquiry on the recent WHO recommendation. He said he is currently away in the United States and will respond by email.
But public health expert, Chikwe Ihekweazu who spoke to Naij.com said it is a great development for all.
“Previously, due to various reasons including resources, various patients that are sicker have been prioritized and that decision is being been based on the patients CD4 count. It was thought that you can only benefit the treatment if you CD4 count is at a certain stage but now new evidences show that people survive and stay alive for much longer when given treatment early,” Ihekweazu said.
CD4 is a glycoprotein found on the surface of immune cells like T helper cells, monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells. For an adult uninfected person the CD4 count ranges from 500 cells/mm3 to 1,200 cells/mm3.
Ihekweazu said the “treat all” recommendation will not only act as treatment for individuals but for all.
“Another issue is when you are on treatment and suppressed, the likelihood of you transmitting to anyone else goes down by more than 90% and that is the public health benefit,” he said.
Also, at the seventieth united nations general assembly, President Muhammadu Buhari appealed for the reduction of anti-retroviral drugs. He called on pharmaceutical companies to be more considerate and reduce the cost of production of generic items.
The post WHO Directs Anti-retroviral Treatment For All HIV Patients appeared first on Nigeria News today & Breaking news | Read on NAIJ.COM.
WHO Directs Anti-retroviral Treatment For All HIV Patients
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