In Dakar (Senegal), a pilot project is

In Dakar (Senegal), a pilot project is
being implemented that, in the view of
the organizers, proves that it is possible
for developing countries to set up the
systems and infrastructures needed
to support anti-retroviral treatment for
AIDS patients.
A government grant has provided
enough funding to treat 70 patients,
at a cost of about US$ 460 per person
per month. The programme is led by a
committee that includes representatives
of government services, independent
medical and psychiatric specialists,
social services, lawyers and
representatives of associations of
people living with HIV/AIDS. Patients
make a financial contribution to the
treatment, according to their means. The
numbers included in the programme are
deliberately small, because it is essential
to ensure that funds will be sufficient to
continue the treatment. “We have to
continually be sure that the mechanisms
are working, through efficient financing,
drug management and biological,
clinical and psychological follow-up
of the patients.”, says Salif Sow, a
national committee member. Grants
from international sources have been
used to build a laboratory and to give
free viral load and CD4 count tests.
An evaluation of the programme has
shown that “the wheels were well
greased and demonstrated that an
African country can start a programme
of this type and keep it going. If it works
in Dakar, we now have to try to expand
the sites to the interior of the country”.
There are plans to set up a foundation
to attract further funds to expand the
programme.