News & storiesAidsfonds Launches ‘Bringing Kids to Care’ project in Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, and Indonesia/West Papua
News & storiesAidsfonds Launches ‘Bringing Kids to Care’ project in Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, and Indonesia/West Papua
Aidsfonds Launches ‘Bringing Kids to Care’ project in Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, and Indonesia/West Papua
Last updated on: 29 February 2024
We proudly announce four new partners who will address the critical paediatric HIV gaps identified in Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia and Indonesia/West Papua. Coalition of Women Living with HIV and AIDS, Action for Community Care, Pride Community Health Organization, and the Indonesia AIDS Coalition bring unique strengths, expertise, and a shared dedication to improving paediatric HIV care and support in these new ‘Kids to Care’ projects.
Different paediatric HIV gaps
From January 2024 until December 2025, our partners will work hand in hand with various stakeholders to implement the Kids to Care model, leveraging community-based strategies to find, test, start and retain underserved children in HIV care. However, this project is contextualized to the different paediatric HIV gaps in each country. Action for Community Care will work with traditional birth attendants to identify children living with HIV who are out of reach of health facilities. In Malawi and Zambia, Coalition of Women Living with HIV and AIDS and Pride Community Health Organisation will focus on identifying children of sex workers who are usually left behind in paediatric HIV care through working with community health workers. Lastly, in Indonesia, our partner Indonesia AIDS Coalition will be implementing the paediatric-HIV community-based intervention in West-Papua to strengthen the links between communities and health facilities.
No child is left behind
As we embark on this exciting journey with new partners, we are confident that the “Bringing Kids to Care” model will not only contribute to the reduction of new HIV infections among children but also empower communities to provide comprehensive and sustainable care for children and mothers affected by HIV. Together, we envision a future where no child is left behind in the HIV response, and every mother and child can thrive in good health and well-being.
About Kids to Care
The Aidsfonds paediatric HIV programme is committed to end AIDS-related deaths and reduce new HIV infections in children. In July 2023, Aidsfonds launched a call for proposals aiming to expand the Kids to Care model to additional countries. The Kids to Care model developed by Aidsfonds and partner organisations, has proved resounding success in various countries to eliminate vertical transmission and ensuring that every child living with HIV can lead a healthy and fulfilling life.
Medan faces significant challenges related to stigma and discrimination against PLHIV and the LGBTQI+ community. Access to healthcare services is limited, as many people are hesitant to seek medical help due to fears of rejection and discrimination. HIV issues and LGBTQI+ rights receive little policy attention, with healthcare services lacking inclusivity and minimal public education, worsening the situation for the LGBTQI+ community in addressing HIV in Medan.
Three new pilot projects for children living with HIV
Three new pilot projects for children living with HIV
In summer 2024 Aidsfonds launched three new pilot projects for children living with HIV. These projects were selected by Aidsfonds’ Paediatric HIV Advisory Panel. The projects aim to test new and innovative community-based approaches to identify and support children living with HIV who are underserved. This is important as these children are hard to reach, falling through the crack in the health care system.