Fighting the Spread of HIV

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When my results came back, I remember asking myself, 'What does it mean to be HIV positive?' recalls Jean Claude Likoye, HIV-positive since 2002. "No one told me what HIV was about, what I needed to do, not even that I needed to change my lifestyle. They just gave me the results and left me to deal with it. I was young and confused." Today, Jean Claude is coordinating Medair's HIV-prevention project in D.R. Congo, working with the local NGO SAIPED to promote advocacy in the northeast regions of the country. "I was the first person to speak openly about living with HIV in Dungu," he says, "and I have not stopped since." Testing, Treating, and Preventing HIV In January 2012, Medair launched an ambitious project in Haut and Bas Uélés to increase HIV awareness, testing, and treatment, particularly among people displaced by violence. According to one clinic in Dungu, at least 30 out of every 100 people tested are HIV-positive, but there are only five testing centres available in two regions. Medair's project supports 10 health clinics using an approach that includes: Sensitising people on preventing the spread of HIV Promoting safe infection-control practices with HIV-positive patients at clinics and providing anti-retro-viral drugs for pregnant women Distributing, promoting, and educating people about condom use Providing mobile testing and counselling in some clinics Timely treatment of sexually transmitted illnesses, often an entry point for HIV. Jean Claude and his team of community mobilisers reach out to people in a variety of ways, including group discussions, screening videos, and visiting with families at home or in clinics. "Sometimes we get people coming in for counselling but they refuse to get tested because of religious or traditional beliefs," said a nurse in Dungu. "Medair's effort to inform people about the importance of getting tested is helping change people's attitudes. This is a big success." Protection for Babies Many of the efforts directly help mothers and children. "No child should enter this world infected with HIV. This is why we sensitise pregnant women to get tested and once they test positive we provide them with anti-retroviral medicine so that they can deliver healthy babies free of the HIV virus," says Dr. Yannick Massembo, Medair HIV Project Manager. The new UNAIDS World AIDS Day Report 2012 offers encouraging news about children and HIV: the number of newborn babies with HIV has declined by 24 percent over the last two years. "It is becoming evident that achieving zero new HIV infections in children is possible," said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS. "I am excited that far fewer babies are being born with HIV. We are moving from despair to hope." "After a delivery, we conduct follow-up treatment with the infants. We usually test these children again at 18 months and if they are still HIV-negative, then it's a joy for us," said Dr. Massembo. "We now have three times the number of people seeking treatment for sexually transmitted illnesses in comparison to when we started in January." Sharing and Giving Hope Jean Claude admits that there are significant challenges his team faces when conducting sensitisation. "We work in remote areas and sometimes it's not easy to reach people. Also, there are a lot of stereotypes within some communities that take time to eradicate. "But the project's impact is visible in the number of people who have access to information," continues Jean Claude. "This was not the case in Dungu just a few years ago. Also, as a member of the community, I can see a change in behaviour based on increased awareness. "I have come across many peopleâ&${esc.hash}128;&${esc.hash}148;especially those below 18 years of ageâ&${esc.hash}128;&${esc.hash}148;who are already HIV-positive. Imagine what would happen to the lives of these young ones if there were no one talking to them and guiding them to live positively. Sharing my experience gives them hope." ________________________________________________________________________ Your financial support makes our work possible. Please make a donation today. ________________________________________________________________________ Read more about Medair's relief and recovery work in D.R. Congo. Medair's work D.R. Congo is supported by the Pooled Fund, the E.C. Directorate-General for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection, the United States Agency for International Development, the U.N. Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the Morgan Charitable Foundation, and generous private donors. This web update was produced with resources gathered by Medair field and headquarters staff. The views expressed herein are those solely of Medair and should not be taken, in any way, to reflect the official opinion of any other organisation.