Community based volunters received hand books yesterday in Bujenje sub county Masindi district, Uganda. This was done by the chaiman of a people living with HIV group Mr Omara Dennis at Kinyara Sugar Factory Hall.These handbooks where issued by the Inernational HIV/AIDS Alliance in Uganda as a way of diseminating standardised HIV/AIDS information.
The handbook emphasises the importance of acquiring knowledge, skills and the right attitude to identify the psychosocial needs of people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS and address those needs by giving information, counselling and appropriate referrals to medical personnel.
The Network Suport Agents (NSAs) where also given files to register those living with HIV who at times don’t want to come and get drugs, so that they can follow up. Stigma is a cardinal point in Uganda and some patients fear collecting their ARVs which is a challenge. These handbooks have been issued to NSAs to help postive people through counselling and guidance and on issues such as effective use of prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT).
The volunteer NSAs who turned up were assigned a responsibilty of following up treatment with fellow positive patients, and also to encourage young people to test and know their status. It may help the infected person to live longer because of the medication that may be availible.
The chairman of the people living with HIV group further told clients who are volunteers in the Kinyara Client Group that they should continue helping one another as a way of fighting the HIV incidence in the area .
I am especially happy with this article. Confidently with the provision of a handbook on HIV / AIDS is in order to study these things more desirable again.