NGO touts use of evidence in HIV fight

Dignitas International (DI), a medical and research non-governmental organisation (NGO), has touted the use of evidence and data in achieving the global 90:90:90 in the fight against HIV and Aids.

Speaking during the organisation’s national dissemination day in Machinga on Friday, DI medical and research director Professor Joep van Oosterhout said it is important that patients are diagnosed with robust methods when they are being moved from one ART regime to another.

In his remarks, Machinga District Hospital medical officer Dr. Innocent Mhango, who was the guest of honour at the event, said issues of data and evidence help in decision-making and introduction of interventions that can help to deal with challenges.

The global 90:90:90 seeks countries’ commitments to end HIV and Aids by 2030; have 90 percent of people living with HIV and Aids (PLWHAs) know their status by 2020, 90 percent of people diagnosed with HIV to be on antiretroviral therapy (ART) by 2020 and 90 percent of people on ART to be retained in care and have their viral load suppressed by 2020. n