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Recently added  News: Synodical Committee meets on HIV Policy Pictures: World AIDS Day 2009 celebrated at Nkhoma with Hon. Joyce Banda MP and rev. Davidson Chifundo YouTube video: HIV Program at Nkhoma Achievements Period: October 2008-September 2009 / PEPFAR indicators 10,017
| youth have been reached through the Choose Freedom peer education program | | 13,977 | individuals received counseling and testing | | 6,818 | pregnant women were tested during antenatal care and received their test results | | 224 | HIV-infected pregnant women received ARV prophylaxis for PMTCT | | 577 | clients received Home Based Care |
Goal
The CCAP Nkhoma Synod HIV program has two goals: 1. to reduce the transmission of HIV 2. to give care and support for People Living with HIV (PLHIV) Strategies The program has three strategies:
1. Peer education of youth in secondary schools
The CCAP Nkhoma Synod runs youth programs in church congregations and through the CCAP Student Organisation (CCAPSO) in secondary schools.
The Youth department runs an HIV peer education program through CCAPSO youth clubs in 55 out of 58 secondary schools in Dowa and Ntchisi district. October 2008-September 2009 10,017 youth participated in a ten session program titled “Choose Freedom”. The curriculum has been developed by Scripture Union and includes discussion and bible study on identity, relationships and sexuality. Learn more...
2. Increasing availability of HIV testing and PMTCT services
 The Health Department operates 11 health centres in the Central Region. All health facilities provide HTC services. Around the health facilities awareness take place annually. August 2008-October 2009 13,977 individuals received counselling and testing.
Nkhoma Hospital and 7 health centres provide PMTCT services. The program organises support groups for women that have been tested positive. August 2008-October 2009 6,818 pregnant women were tested during antenatal care and 244 HIV positive women received ARV prophylaxis. At Nkhoma Hospital positive women and their spouses can participate in a support group, where they receive group and individual counselling, training on breastfeeding, nutrition and gardening and nutritional support. The program will be scaled up to five other health centres in 2010. Learn more...
The nutrition intervention is supported by Canzibe foundation (the Netherlands) and Feed the Children.
3. Improving the quality of care and support of those affected and infected by HIV
Nkhoma Hospital has a home based care program in the catchment area of the hospital (catchment population: 60,000). In the period October 2008-September 2009 75 volunteers have taken care of 577 clients. This support may consist of positive living counselling, provision of drugs (pain killers), basic nursing care or household chores. The volunteers support clients to adhere to Antiretroviral Therapy and are trained to recognise side effects of treatment. In case of side effects volunteers will refer clients to the hospital. All volunteers are visited on a monthly basis for reporting and discussion of complicated cases.
In 2009 all volunteers were trained in palliative care including bereavement counselling and preparation of a will with support from the Global AIDS Interfaith Alliance (GAIA).
PLHIV that are identified through the HCT program at Nkhoma are referred to support groups. The program trained in 2009 80 PLHIV support group members in positive living. Documents Report Synodical Committee on HIV policy Performance Report July-September 2009 Presentation NAC Implementers Conference July 2009 Donor The CCAP Nkhoma Synod -PACT Community REACH HIV Program is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief via the US Agency for International Development/Malawi and its cooperating agency Pact Malawi. The nutritional support program is made possible through Canzibe foundation (the Netherlands) and Feed the Children US. The palliative care training of hospital staff and volunteers is made possible through Global AIDS Interfaith Association.
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