Abigail Lucas
9/2/09
11:20
In recent months there has been a drought in the eastern part of Uganda. As a result of this drought many HIV patients are risking their lives by not taking their medications. Omax Hebron Omeda said “I have never seen a famine like this – people can’t afford a meal for several days, the most affected people are those on ARVs (drugs for HIV/AIDS patients). Very soon, if the government doesn’t intervene by scaling up the food supply people are going to die”. These medications are very strong and may sometimes increase a patient’s appetite, therefore if they are taken without food they may make the patient feel week or sick. Doctors are encouraging patients to continue taking their medications, so far the government has tried helping provide food especially for these patients however local media have reported that approximately forty people in the region have died of hunger since may.
I was very surprised by this news story. I have heard so many times before about people in countries who are unable to receive medication for health problems or diseases but until now I have never heard about people having the medicine but not wanting to take it because they are unable to get food. I can’t imagine living like this.
http://www.africahealthnews.org/NEWS%5EINNER.php?id=54
3 comments:
I can't imagine living like that either. Choosing between taking my medicine and feeling terrible bc I didn't take it with food or not taking my medicine and still feeling terrible bc I'm starving. Seems to me, it's a lose-lose situation. Although the hunger crisis is all over Uganda, it seems as if these people should be attended to first since they're already disease stricken with HIV.
I truly hope they get those patients some kind of food and water. A drought shouldn't have such a heavy effect on medication. It's crazy to think about all the implications one situation can have on another. This just really makes me think of how connected the world and its systems really are.
I agree, it's a terrible situation to be in to have to choose medication for a deadly disease or food. One thing I would like to point out is there are people in the United States in the same position; they may not be AIDS patients but I'm sure some are. Is anyone else made uncomfortable by the thought that we are on par with this situation?
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