“My son, Kizza, dropped out of school a year and a half ago. He was sick and I spent sleepless nights nursing him. I didn’t know the cause of his sickness and expected him to die anytime.
A community health worker advised me to go for HIV testing. Kizza was HIV-positive. The health worker also encouraged me to join a family support group. I was so happy to meet other parents with children like Kizza. And he introduced me to a savings group. When it was my turn I bought a goat and some rabbits. They have had offspring, which really helps me financially. I feel much strengthened. Kizza is ten years old now. He is performing well at school. My son is still alive thanks to the community health worker.”
“If I had not been counselled by this community health worker my son would have died long ago.”
– Ms Mukansime
Invest in communities: health workers are the linking pin
Programmes are usually health facility-based which means they do not reach all children. Aidsfonds builds programmes on existing community structures. We train community health workers to be at the heart of the programmes. They link key figures like teachers, religious leaders, savings and support group members, and health facility staff. In this way, everyone works together to trace children with HIV and keep them in care. This approach connects to national-level strategies and partner initiatives, to ensure sustainability.
Communities trace children with HIV
Aidsfonds first introduced the Towards an AIDS Free Generation in Uganda (TAFU) programme in five districts of Uganda. Communities themselves trace HIV-exposed children. As a result, 1017 children and 1355 women accessed healthcare in the past two years, while 1008 people joined savings groups. The programme is now running in three more districts. In 2018, TAFU will be rolled-out to Zimbabwe and Kenia.
#Togetherwespeak
Friday November 16, activists and NGOs will be silent in solidarity with those who are silenced, as part of the ‘Together we speak’ campaign. In the run up Aidsfonds highlights stories of communities who fight for access to healthcare, including HIV treatment. This is the story of Kizza and his mum.
Eight political parties commit to global health and SRHR at launch of multiparty initiative
Eight political parties commit to global health and SRHR at launch of multiparty initiative
On Friday 4 October, the multiparty initiative on global health and sexual and reproductive health & rights (SRHR) was launched at Nieuwspoort in The Hague. Hosted by the Dutch Global Health Alliance (DGHA) and the SRHR platform, this initiative aims to maintain the Netherlands’ leadership role on global health and SRHR by bringing parliamentarians from a broad range of political parties together to stand up for these issues. After dynamic discussions and reflections, the parliamentarians made their commitment to global health and SRHR official by signing up as members of the new multiparty initiative. Eight political parties have joined the initiative, reaffirming that health not only transcends borders, it also transcends politics.
Bridging Gaps in Healthcare: Enhancing HIV Services for Trans Women in Samarinda
Bridging Gaps in Healthcare: Enhancing HIV Services for Trans Women in Samarinda
The strong partnership between Inti Muda East Kalimantan and the Samarinda City Health Office, powered by impactful advocacy, has led to remarkable achievements. On April 4, 2024, Inti Muda East Kalimantan was invited by the Samarinda Health Office as a community representative to help the government select 10 new locations for PrEP services. By the end of May 2024, these new sites were operational, raising the total number of PrEP services in Samarinda to 12. This success is a testament to Inti Muda East Kalimantan’s effective contributions in establishing youth-friendly services for the LGBTIQ+ community, with a special focus on young transgender women.