Can the initial success of the Malawi ART scale-up programme be sustained? The example of Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre.
The antiretroviral therapy clinic of Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH), Blantyre, Malawi was established as a fee-paying clinic in 2000. In 2004 a successful transition to free-of-charge antiretroviral therapy (ART) provision was made with the introduction of the national ART scale-up programme. Despite the human resource crisis in the healthcare system, remarkable improvements in quantity and quality of care, a reduction of defaulters, favourable ART outcomes and better access to ART for the poor, women and children were achieved. A number of challenges need to be overcome to sustain the initial success of the national ART scale-up programme in QECH, the most important being the shortage of ART staff in relation to the ever-expanding patient population.
van Oosterhout
Joep J G
JJ
Department of Medicine, University of Malawi College of Medicine, Malawi. joosterhout@medcol.mw
Kumwenda
Johnstone K
JK
Hartung
Thomas
T
Mhango
Brian
B
Zijlstra
Eduard E
EE
D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D005249:Fees and Charges / Q000639:trends; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D008295:Malawi; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents