Toronto Star Examines How Hospital Is Raising Funds To Deliver ARV Drugs to HIV-Positive Patients in Malawi

The Toronto Star on Wednesday examined how St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto is raising money to deliver antiretroviral drugs to HIV-positive patients at a hospital in Malawi's Zomba District through a partnership with the nongovernmental organization Dignitas International. The hospital's staff is hoping to raise $600,000 for the program by "shaving a little money off their paychecks" and collecting proceeds from events such as bake sales and dance and fitness classes, the Star reports. One out of every five people in the district is HIV-positive, and a one-year supply of antiretroviral drugs costs about $175 per person. In addition to providing the medications, Dignitas educates patients about the importance of adhering to their drug regimens in order to prevent the development of drug-resistant HIV. By September, the group hopes to triple to 150 the number of new HIV-positive patients receiving antiretroviral drugs each month (Palmer, Toronto Star, 7/21).