Various groups take part in a walk to commemorate the 2016 World Aids Day
The ongoing effort in home and community based care to People Living with HIV (PLWHIV) in Nyeri County has realized major milestones since its inception 5 years ago. The project collaborates with the County Health Management Team and has engaged 84 Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) who visit PWHIV in their households to offer health services. Over 1500 lives have so far been transformed through the project that is spearheaded by the National Council of Churches of Kenya in conjunction with her development partners.
Speaking to Jumuia news, NCCK’s Programme Officer Education and Health Imelda Namayi, said that together with her team, they have been able to offer health education on adherence to ARVs, treatment of opportunistic infections, treatment of tuberculosis, proper nutrition , psycho-social and education support to those living with HIV.
Namayi added that the project dubbed ‘Global Fund –New Funding Model,’ has contributed to improved lives of PLWHIV. Most of the people in the project have adhered to treatment that has resulted in viral suppression hence living healthier lives. “Home visits by committed community health volunteer has also improved early detection of TB, within families and cases referred to health centers for specialized treatment,” she revealed.
She pointed out that another group of persons that has greatly benefitted from the campaign are expectant women and lactating mothers. Namayi told Jumuia news that through the project, they have been able to identify and do follow ups and referral on expectant women, ensuring that they attend all the four ante-natal visits in the health facilities as well as developing a comprehensive birth plan for delivery in a health facility. Namayi observed: “The women have been sensitized on the importance of delivering in a health facility. So far there is reduced cases of home delivery in the county. Over 1054 expectant women have attended all the A.N.C visits and delivered in health facilities.”
Participants take part in the sensitization workshop during a past event
While commending the Council and partners for the initiative, various beneficiaries agreed that psycho-social support offered had helped them to comfortably disclose their HIV status to the family members who are the ones supporting and reminding them to take ARV medication.
