North West medicine shortages: Patients in need of HIV and TB medication sent home empty-handed

Some people in need of HIV or tuberculosis (TB) medicines are sent home empty-handed after visiting clinics in the North West. This is according to the latest survey of public healthcare services in the province published by community-led clinic monitoring group Ritshidze. The survey data was collected in April and May this year.Of the roughly 490 000 people living with HIV in the province, around 380 000 (77%) are on antiretroviral treatment, according to figures from Thembisa, the leading mathematical model of HIV in South Africa. Antiretroviral treatment is recommended for everyone…