By BRIAN HATYOKA –

THE Network of Zambian people living with HIV/AIDS in Southern Province has called for steady supply of medical drugs for children infected with the disease.
Southern Province Network of Zambian people living with HIV/AIDS coordinator, Lloyd Bwalya said he was concerned that there was a shortage of nevirapine syrup and CD4 bottles for children in some clinics in Livingstone over the last few days.
Speaking in an interview in Livingstone yesterday, Mr Bwalya appealed to relevant authorities not to play with human life.
“Maramba, Mahatma Gandhi and Libuyu Clinics in Livingstone were recently affected by the shortage of these drugs.
“We are monitoring these three health centres daily and hence we are aware of the situation on the ground,” he said.
Mr Bwalya said there was need for those in authority to commit themselves to providing the services they were supposed to provide.
“The nevirapine syrup is still missing and children are now being given the tablet form for parents to crash which is our concern.
“The people who are supposed to order the medicine are not doing it in time and hence the communities are feeling the consequences of non-availability of medicine,” Mr Bwalya said.
But when contacted for a comment, Livingstone District medical officer, Cliff Hara said the tourist capital had enough drugs for children infected with HIV/AIDS.
Dr Hara dismissed claims by Mr Bwalya that there was a shortage of nevirapine syrup and CD4 bottles for children in some clinics in Livingstone.