Why is it difficult for children in Africa to get AIDS medicine?

Question

Please list contributing problems

what problems (other than funding) contribute to this problem and why? What could be done to help children to receive the medicine they need to live long and healthy lives?

Answer 1

It all comes down to money.

Answer 2

Many meds require refrigeration, and many families do not have that capability. Among the developed world, pediatric HIV is not very common, so most of the medicines developed are developed at adult strength. There can be serious problems with dosage control when you are splitting pills. There has been several charity organizations that have pushed drug companies to making child size doses.

Many people also live in very remote areas with very bad roads, it can take a whole day to travel to a doctor. Many children of HIV infected mothers are orphans, or taken care of by extended family. If you are a family with several children to care for, you cannot often spend that much of your families resources on obtaining medicines for just one.

Answer 3

1. Poor levels of education. When a person doesn't understand why they are taking medications nor the importance of taking them as directed, or are incapable of understanding the directions, you wind up with poor adherence to treatment. HIV is one of those health problems that requires strict adherence to a medical regimen. Not adhering to treatment can mean disease complications and development of drug-resistant strains.

2. Money. you can't get AIDS/HIV medications if you can't afford them.

3. Storage and distribution. You have to be able to store the drugs under the right conditions and temperatures (Africa has many regions with harsh climates), otherwise the medications may decompose and become ineffective. Once you figure out how to store your drugs, you have to send the drugs to some remote places. It's hard to transport stuff when you're lacking for vehicles and roads. Then you have to put up a site to distribute the drugs. Clinics can be few and far between.

Answer 4

I agree fully with what Gum drop has said but would like to add more to her list. Countries like the United States donate meds to Africa all the time it is the dictatorships that are keeping the children from getting the meds.

Answer 5

Yeap, it's all about the money! Even though pharmaceutical companies make billions, they are to f(_)cken greedy! If they don't see a profit, they won't do anything to help, sad, isn't it?