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Zimbabwe Red Cross scores a first on AIDS treatment preparedness
Tapiwa Gomo, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
May 03, 2006

http://www.ifrc.org/docs/news/06/06050301/

The long wait is now over following the graduation of 22 Red Cross HIV and AIDS care facilitators and 11 trainers who recently attended a three week training programme on HIV prevention, care, treatment and support tool kit. The tool kit, the first of its kind developed, provides guidance and information to community based volunteers on antiretroviral therapy and adherence to treatment.

"This tool kit provides comprehensive information on HIV and AIDS and the use of treatment in the community," says Patrick Couteau, the Federation’s ART Resource Mobilization delegate for East and Southern Africa.

The tool kit comprises eight modules and provides a wide spectrum of HIV and AIDS information covering topics on basic HIV and AIDS, treatment literacy, adherence, palliative care, care for carers, treatment preparedness, counseling, nutrition and positive living.

The training was developed by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, in partnership with the World Health Organization and the Southern Africa AIDS Information Dissemination Service (SAFAIDS), and the involvement of the Ministry of Health, Hospaz, Connect, and The Centre, an organization for people living with HIV.

"The development of the tool kit represents an important milestone across the world, as it empowers communities and volunteers on treatment," says Sara Page, SAFAIDS Deputy Director. "This is a special moment for us and we will continue learning from this experience, recognizing that information is power," she adds.

The past few years have seen improved access to antiretroviral drugs in some African countries, bringing new challenges to community based HIV interventions such as home-based care. Volunteers involved in home based care programmes face additional challenges in providing treatment related information and follow up to people living with HIV, as well as involvement of affected families, to ensure successful treatment.

In her key note address at the graduation, Emma Kundishora, Zimbabwe Red Cross Secretary General, also noted that treatment is a key element of care and support for people living with HIV.

"When properly adhered to, research has shown that treatment can cure opportunistic infections, prevent and fight diseases by minimizing infections which will add to the quality of life of the person taking treatment," she says. This can not happen if the clients are not fully supported in taking their drugs."

The Red Cross, as the leading humanitarian organization with the largest and widest network of volunteers, recognizes that communities remain a key resource in the global response to HIV and AIDS, and hopes to increase their participation through provision of tools, knowledge and skills to support ART.

This is part of the Zimbabwe Red Cross society’s preparation before rolling out HIV treatment in the two districts of Chivi and Mt Darwin.

"Although most of this work is done to support government ART initiatives, we are about to start a pilot roll out programme with funding from Danish Red Cross," says Françoise Le Goff, the International Federation’s Head of Regional Delegation in southern Africa.

"It is the closeness of the Red Cross to the people that will make this initiative a success. The volunteers, who are from the same communities, will bridge the gap between organizations, people living with HIV, and affected family members," she says, adding that, "All key actors in the community and the country have a role to play in this model."

The Danish Red Cross funding will enable the Zimbabwe Red Cross to start the antiretroviral treatment programme, targeting 1500 clients in the two rural districts of Chivi and Mt Darwin for the next five years.

"The integrated community based programme is an ideal platform for rolling out antiretroviral treatment and ensuring community mobilization and a high degree of adherence to treatment. With this project we want to develop a model which can be replicated in other Zimbabwe Red Cross project areas, with drugs provided by the government. We hope more partners will come and join in so that together we can improve the quality of life of people living with HIV," says Lars Peter Nissen, the Danish Red Cross Regional Representative. The two Red Cross societies have a long standing partnership which dates back to 1984.

Dr. Evelyn Isaacs of the WHO-AFRO also reiterated her support for the programme. "I wish to assure everyone that it is my mission to make sure such initiatives succeed for the betterment of our people in the region," she says.

The International Federation, SAFAIDS and WHO-AFRO decided to pre test the tool kit with the Zimbabwe Red Cross home based care programme, regarded as one of the most effective programmes of its kind in Africa. This model has been replicated in many countries in the region and beyond, as it has proven to be practical, effective and is being used as an entry point for ART by many organizations and governments.

The HIV prevalence rate is estimated at 21.4% and the government commenced ART provision through major hospitals such as Mpilo, Parirenyatwa, Central Hospitals and others.

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