SUPPORT GROUP

A support group evolved spontaneously at the New Start Center, promoted by the team of counselors there.
The support group consists of volunteers, who have been tested, positive or negative, at the New Start Center and have agreed to give some of their time to support the newcomers, as well as the patients under ARV who come regularly to the Clinic.


HIV & AIDS APPROACH

Between 60 and 80 people come to the center to see the doctor, and get diagnosis, consultation, or to get their ARV treatments for the coming month.

The huge number of visits, i.e., large number of patients, creates very uncomfortable situations for all those involved. Many of them come to the clinic as early as 6 a.m., many having traveled long distances on foot, often carrying or accompanied by small children, and might have to stay the entire day.

People coming to the hospital have nothing to eat, their only option to sit and wait to get their medication, hopefully see the doctor, and then return home.



A major concern is problem of a widely distributed rural population, as stated earlier, many people living far away and public transportation relatively expensive.
Medication is not distributed from the local rural clinics for security reasons, and these clinics are generally not equipped to do testing.
Some patients are not physically able to come to the hospital to get their monthly treatment. Only in those emergency cases are the doctors able to provide therapy through a third person.
However, it is far more likely that most of these patients are not accounted for and are left unattended, far away in rural areas with little or no assistance.

FOOD DISTRIBUTION FOR HIV+ PATIENTS

In 2004, Designing Hope initiated a project of food donation and support for the clinic patients of Piggs Peak hospital, who have tested HIV positive.

Objective: Make the monthly visit to the clinic as rewarding as possible.

Going to the clinic is considered and experienced as a burden, and often creates  psychological trauma, due to the stigmatization, lack of support, and often, ostracism, that clients receive from family and the community, if they come to the testing clinic.



The first visit, when people come to get tested, 85% then receive bad news.
This is followed by a second visit, a week later, to find out if they need treatment or not.
Later, the patients are required to come every month for either ARV’s or CD4 counts.
Many have to wait for hours to see the doctor: there are no appointments. Patients are seen on a first come, first served basis, which exacerbates the problems of crowding, sanitation and long waiting periods.
The situation is extremely difficult to cope with for most people.
The main problems are the distance and cost of commuting to the clinic, compounded by the weakened physical status of the patients. Some of them are too ill to walk, and are unable to tolerate the extended wait at the clinic. Most of them are also so poor that they can not afford more than one meal a day and spend all day at the hospital without eating.
They get their treatment, but are unable to obtain adequate nutrition.

Free meals provided at the clinic.

All patients coming for their monthly visit have been receiving food in the mornings since August 2004. This boosts patients’ energy after the trip to the hospital and assists the patients during the hours of waiting. The food provisions organized at the Voluntary Testing Center of the Piggs Peak Hospital have brought incredible support to a growing number of patients, acknowledged by all the staff of the hospital.



It is seen as invaluable nutrition and encouragement for the patients who come for their monthly visits to the doctor and to get their therapies.
The program initially started with a basic sandwich-drinks-fruit distribution, once a week, for 240 patients. Since January 2005, the number of patients has increased to more than 500, and a second day of visits has been arranged with the hospital doctor.

DESIGNING HOPE CANTEEN AT THE HOSPITAL

Designing Hope signed an agreement with the local branch of the Red Cross who owned a small building at the entrance of the hospital, that had been used as a canteen, but had been abandoned for some time.
In March 2005, with limited investment, this place has been turned by Designing Hope into a small canteen again. This canteen functions as an educational nutrition center, as well as food preparation area.

2 HIV+ support group members have been missioned by Designing Hope to cook twice a week and organize food preparation and distribution from there for up to 100 people a day.
Every meal served includes meat, vegetable, cereals, fruits and juice, very often, the best meal of the month for most visitors of the VCT...

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Designing Hope has been supporting Malanda community hall since 2005.

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© Designing Hope Africa - Dessine L'Espoir France -C Varet - Last update: August 2006