The SADC Parliamentary Forum Holds Multi-Stakeholder Meeting In Collaboration With The National Assembly

 

 

On the morning of Monday 29th May 2023, a collaborative multi-Stakeholder meeting under the theme “Stronger Parliamentary SRHR Engagement- A lens on HIV AIDS Response in Seychelles”, was officially opened by the President of the SADC PF and Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Roger Mancienne. The meeting, which was being held under the second phase of the SADC PF Governance Project sponsored by the Swedish Government, provided an opportunity to reflect on the successes and challenges experienced during the past four years and to also conduct a SWOT analysis on Lost to Follow-up with HIV/AIDS patients.

 

 

“Lost to follow-up” is defined as a patient who has not received Antiretroviral (ART) medication for 6-12 months and has discontinued their treatment for unknown reasons. This phenomenon has been observed increasing considerably in Seychelles, especially during and following the COVID-19 pandemic. LTFU can result in serious consequences for those living with HIV/AIDS, as it increases the risk of drug toxicity, SRH complications, drug resistance, the continued spread of HIV, and complete treatment failure. Hence, the objectives of the meeting were the identification of the prevalence and magnitude of “Lost to follow-up” (LTFU) in Seychelles, the factors that contribute to and the problems associated with LTFU, and the avoidance and managing of LTFU. During a presentation given by Dr. Louine Morel it was noted that by the end of 2022, 145 patients were Lost to follow-up in Seychelles.

 

 

The meeting was attended by the SADC PF Secretary General Ms. Boemo Sekgoma, the Clerk of the National Assembly Mrs. Tania Isaac, the Deputy Clerk Ms. Alexandria Faure, Members of the Parliamentary Committee on Communicable Diseases, HIV/AIDS and SRHR, Members of the Women Parliamentary Caucus, Secretariat staff of SADC PF, various local stakeholders and participants affiliated with the Governance project locally, and Secretariat staff of the National Assembly.

 

 

Ms. Genevieve Daniel, the Governance Project’s Researcher, who has played a key role in the Project’s implementation at the National Assembly of Seychelles stated that the meeting was efficacious and that the recommendations will be useful for Members’ use as part of their oversight function.