People living with HIV in Mutasa district in Manicaland have hailed the introduction of Community Community ART Refill Group model, popularly known as CARGs.
By Hamu Madzedze
CARGs are self-formed groups of people living with HIV within the same geographical area. The groups are led by individuals who have been consistent with their treatment and have the ability to encourage others to adhere to treatment.
In an interview with 263chat, members of CARGs said the programme serves as a cost cutting measure as they are now sending one person to collect their drugs.
Wisky Selami, a CARG leader said in the past members used six dollars for transport but now they are making contributions for transport for one to ferry the medicine, a move which people living with HIV described as a cost cutting measure.
Selami added that the birth of CARGS has improved adherence among people living with HIV as patients frequently convene in groups, educating each other on the importance of adherence as well as other HIV related issues.
“There has been a great improvement on adherence since members are conducting peer to peer counselling on adherence” said Selami.
Charles Mushanya also pointed out that CARGs have helped in reducing work load for health workers since one person is now collecting medication for fifteen people.
Mushanya pointed out that in the past health workers had to attend to a group of people which was time consuming.
‘More productive has been created as members are now taking turns to visit the clinic” he said.
The Zimbabwe National Network for People Living with HIV (ZNNP+) provincial coordinator, LIoyd Dembure added that plans are underway to roll out the programme in all the country’s districts next year.
Dembure pointed out that the CARG programme has helped in reducing the number of defaulters from ten percent to two percent.
The ART model which was borrowed from Mozambique, seeks to overcome the costs and challenges faced by people living with HIV in accessing treatment, especially vulnerable communities which live some distance from health centres.
