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ART treatment significantly reduces morbidity and mortality due to HIV infection and makes HIV/AIDS a chronic disease compatible with a normal life. The success of ART treatment depends not only on patient adherence but also on the continuity of drug supply.

With the the Ministry of Public Health and the fight against AIDS support through CAMEBU (Centrale d'Achats des Médicaments Essentiels au Burundi) ART drugs for three months are offered to stable patients, i.e. patients who have been on ARV treatment for more than a year and who are observing treatment with proof of treatment success (2 consecutive measurements of the biological examination of the viral load becoming undetectable), except pregnant or breastfeeding patients according to the national guidelines for the prevention and treatment of HIV in Burundi.

« During the consultations, it is important to check whether the patients meet the conditions leading them to the prescription of drugs for 3 months.
The objective of multi-monthly prescribing and dispensing is to minimize barriers to access and adherence to treatment, the level of frequency of visits for ARV supply, the cost of accessing the SYM office; this allows the improvement of retention in care because the number of lost sight and abandonment decreases thanks to this multi monthly dispensation.
In this period of the coronavirus pandemic, some patients are afraid to go to health establishments, and the multi-monthly prescription and dispensing has relieved the congestion in our health structure, which reassures patients and makes it easy to take the distancing measures recommended by the Ministry of Health." says Dr. Emmanuel,responsible of RAFG Activity project at SYM.»

« For me, first of all, I think it is a good thing and an honor to be in the category of those who take and follow the treatment correctly; the multi-monthly dispensation also saves us from having to go back and forth every month to pick up the medication, so that the fees that were used for travel can be used for something else.
Also with the new approach of PODI (ART Distribution Points), we will have even more facility because a member of PODI will go to SYM to collect the drugs of the whole group and distribute them without all the members being able to travel to take their dose. This is really good for us» testifies Mrs. Margueritte beneficiary of SYM.

The multi-monthly dispensing of medicines allows the patient to attend to their development activities, which will improve their quality of life. The SYM clinic will see its services improved for new patients and those who do not meet the requirements. One day, they will also be able to benefit from the multi-monthly dispensing of medicines.