The Ministry of Health and Social Services launched the revised National Guidelines on Antiretroviral therapy and the HIV care and treatment package for children and adolescents as the country transition to highly effective medicine for treating persons living with HIV.  The revised guidelines include Dolutegravir (DTG) - a relatively new medicine used to treat HIV infection. DTG, when combined with 2 other medicines, is considered to be among the best current treatments for HIV. It is more effective in suppressing the HIV virus, and improving the immune response, and also has a higher threshold for developing resistance to the virus. Previously, this medicine was not readily available as there was not enough evidence on its use in children, during pregnancy and in clients co-infected with HIV and tuberculosis. However, based on more recent evidence, WHO now recommends DTG-based regimen as the preferred first-line regimen for people living with HIV.

The Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr. Kalumbi Shangula, said that Namibia is gradually winning the battle against HIV making reference to the Namibia Population-based HIV Impact Assessment (NAMPHIA).  The report highlights Namibia’s progress towards achieving the UNAIDS target of 90-90-90. The report states that 86.0% of persons living with HIV (PLHIV) aged 15-64 years knew their HIV status, and of these, 96.4% were on ART, and 91.3% of these were virally suppressed.

Speaking at the same occasion, the ambassador of the United States Government to Namibia, Her Excellency Lisa Johnson, said that her government fully supports Namibia’s decision to transition to dolutegravir as the first line ART regimen for all eligible populations.   ‘I am pleased to announce that the US Government, through PEPFAR, is procuring 95,000 one month bottles of a combination known as TLD, which includes dolutegravir, and of dolutegravir alone, in order to ensure the Ministry has stock immediately.’

WHO Representative, Dr. Charles Sagoe-Moses, said that the revision of the National Guidelines is a critical step in improving access to quality care for people living with HIV, however there must be effective strategies to ensure that these newly introduced medicines reach those who need them most. He expressed his appreciation for the fact that the guidelines promote a woman-centered approach to health care and consciously adopts the perspectives of women and their families and communities, where care is provided in ways that respect women’s autonomy in decision-making about their health, and provide information and options to enable women to make informed choices. He also applauded government for joining 82 low- and middle-income countries who have reported to be transitioning to DTG-based HIV treatment regimens. He concluded by stating that WHO in partnership with the other UN agencies will continue to support the country to increase universal coverage to care for people living with HIV especially in addressing the gaps in reaching the 90-90-90 target.