Wednesday 12 September 2018

FOOLISH ADVICE ON ARV TREATMENT

The National 13 September 2018

I feel a sense of frustration and anger at the foolish advice of Valentine Tangoh Regional manager of the National AIDS Council who is telling HIV infected people on antiretroviral drugs that 90% of them are free from the HIV virus and can have sex without a condom.

What about the other 10%? In PNG it is more like 50% on ARV but many with a viral load due to defaulting. PNG will never ever ever reach 90-90-90.

He refers to the wishful thinking fantasy of the United Nations of 90-90-90. It will never be achieved in the world that 90% will know their status with 90% on antiretroviral drugs and 90% free from HIV as the result of their ARV medication.

Is this silly man qualified to make such statements? Is the view official that 90% of people on ARV can be free of HIV infection and have sex without a condom?

In Papua New Guinea, the real figure is more like 48-44-34. Any HIV infected person who is on ARV but defaults can have a viral load. If they have sex with some unsuspecting victim, that person can be infected HIV positive.

Can Tangoh be sued by any person who has been made HIV positive by a person infected by the HIV virus but on ARV? All people on ARV need to use a condom particularly if they have significantly defaulted. They should consult a doctor.

Is their word to be trusted that they have never defaulted?

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