Unizulu becomes first KZN varsity to roll out antiretroviral treatment

The University of Zululand (Unizulu) is set to roll out antiretroviral treatment (ART) within its health clinics, the first tertiary institution in KwaZulu-Natal to do so, reports the Zululand Observer.

This follows the adoption of a Memorandum of Understanding between the university and the provincial department of health.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), antiretroviral therapy consists of a combination of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs to suppress the HIV virus and stop the progression of the disease, as well as preventing onward transmission of HIV.

Unizulu professional nurse Samukelisiwe Zondi said antiretroviral drugs are nearly the same as the recognised antiretroviral medication.

“The difference is that an HIV-infected person taking ARVs generally takes more than one tablet to fight the virus, while with ART medication, a person only takes one tablet.

“We are pleased to be the first providers of the service among other KZN universities. We are honoured to be assisting the university community and trust staff members and students’ productivity levels will improve because everything they may need [in terms of HIV treatment] is now accessible at our clinics,” Zondi said.

Campus Health Clinic head, Sister Hlengiwe Mkhwanazi, echoed her sentiments, saying that she is “extremely excited about the Universal Test and Treat (UTT) programme now offered at Unizulu”.

Sister Mkhwanazi said: “We are grateful to the university’s executive management and the District Department of Health. We worked hard to ensure that we sign a service agreement so that our people get the medical help they need without having to travel far.”

– Caxton News Service

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