Dear friends,
I’m writing you this brief note during a short stay in Rwanda to tell you about two new exciting developments within WE-ACTx in Rwanda.
The dedicated and enthusiastic WE-ACTx Rwandan staff continues to deliver extraordinarily respectful treatment to over 2300 patients with HIV. The HIV protocol in Rwanda starts patients on regimens similar to those used in the U.S. and switches to a second more potent regimen (with more pills and more expensive) if patients do not respond to this initial regimen. Currently, about 5% of patients in the WE-ACTx clinics are resistant and not responding to their antiretroviral regimen. However, unlike those in the U.S. who have access to third line (and more complex) regimens, our patients in Rwanda have had no alternative if the second line therapy was also unsuccessful at controlling the virus (determined by viral load, CD4 cell count, and worsening clinical symptoms).
I am excited to tell you, that a new pilot system is now in place to enable these patients to begin third line therapy. We have waited too long to have this available. So I am thrilled that WE-ACTx patients will now be able to receive this much needed treatment. Global access to needed medications is a priority and is still an emergency to save lives. While Rwanda has many resources for first and second line, and is now opening the door to third line therapy, many patients in sub-Saharan Africa still are on waiting lists for first line. Continued struggles will be needed to see that that high drug company profits don’t result in unaffordable essential medicines, as well as to increase government will (in well resourced and poorly resourced countries).
WE-ACTx Rwandan staff
The second exciting development is the launching of our 5 year study to improve adherence among youth in Rwanda. The NIH NICHD-funded study will be conducted within the WE-ACTx and CHUK (public hospital) clinics. This picture was taken at our first team meeting. You see me, Dr. Geri Donnenberg,(UIC) and Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana (RBC) (the 3 Principal Investigators), other co investigators and staff from WE-ACTx (including Chantal and Henriette who many of you have met in Chicago and Boston), the Rwandan Biomedical Center (RBC), under the Minister of Health, and CHUK. We have already accomplished a lot in getting the project launched and are motivated to complete all the needed preparation, logistics, approvals, piloting and identification and training of the indigenous youth leaders to enroll young participants in January.
Of course, these two developments are related, as adherence to medication regimens decreases resistance to antiretroviral treatment. And having strong and healthy Rwandan youth is important to all of us. Again, thanks for all your continued support.
Mardge
Hope you can join us in Chicago on May 16 at Latin Middle School 6-8:30 to support WE-ACTx. Tickets and information available at www.we-actx.org. Also please check out our on line auction www.biddingforgood.com/weactx
Women's Equity in Access to Care & Treatment