​The roll-out at Fagan Street Clinic today, 25 August 2017, was attended by the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Area East, Councillor Anda Ntsodo.

‘We are here to mark the expansion of ARV treatment to Fagan Street Clinic and the important role that this small health facility fulfils. The City’s Organisational Development and Transformation Plan promotes the accessibility of services to all our residents. With this roll-out, the City ensures that all who need it have access to medication that extends life expectancy,’ said Councillor Ntsodo.

The development is particularly significant for efforts to prevent the transmission of HIV from mothers to their babies. In 2016, 572 expectant women had their first antenatal visit at the Fagan Street Clinic. All pregnant woman are offered an HIV test at their first booking visit. If the result is positive, they have to be started on ARVs immediately to ensure that the baby is protected. If the booking clinic does not provide ARVs, the woman is referred to the nearest ARV site.

Antenatal care is critical to reduce maternal and infant mortality. A pregnant woman should have a minimum of four or up to seven antenatal visits during pregnancy. That is to guarantee that all is well with her health and that of the growing baby and the necessary supplements (such as iron and folic acid) are provided by the clinic during pregnancy. Blood tests are also done to ensure illnesses that might affect the baby are diagnosed and treated early on.

‘Shock, fear and stigma prevents women from freely moving from one clinic to present at another. That is where ARV treatment delays are experienced and why it is important to expand to even smaller health facilities. We are in a new era with regard to ARV treatment. The latest treatment regimens have been simplified with fixed-dose combinations taken once a day. The medicines used have fewer side effects. The medication can be prescribed by nurses who are trained to initiate treatment. We are partnering with non-governmental organisations and the Western Cape Department of Health to expand opportunities for training of our nurses. The City is fully committed to expanding access to ARVs for all our facilities,’ said Councillor Ntsodo.