HIV & Health Support for Lake Tanganyika Villagers

In July 2015 our partners offered HIV services in two villages along the Zambian shore line of Lake Tanganyika. Our team travel by boat and once arrived, they gain permission from the village Headman to offer these services within the village.

After his approval, the medical team then facilitates open air Health Education sessions addressing HIV, malaria and general health topics, raising awareness and increasing knowledge. Those who attend are made aware of the HIV services available to them and are invited to attend.

The next day, the clinic is set up and the line of people waiting to be seen begins to form.

Across the two villages, over 2 days, 163 people attended for HIV testing and 65 people were found to be living with HIV. A few people already knew their HIV status and wanted to find out their CD4 count. The majority however, were receiving this test for the first time.

The medical team, who work in partnership with Ministry of Health Personnel, were able to offer those who were found to have a positive result, access to know their CD4 cell count and receive lifesaving antiretroviral treatment (ART). All this happens within 1 hour of attending the clinic. This holistic service is only made possible through the use of HIV test kits and the portable CD4 machine.

In order to start on ART, a person needs to know their CD4 Cell count. Each CD4 test costs £6

One of our partners local staff, who lives in one of villages recently  decided to go for HIV testing to find out his status. He was so moved by the whole experience that once he returned to the village he immediately began encouraging the community to also get tested so to know their status. He challenged the men of the village especially and reminded them that it is their responsibility too.  

Our partners are hopeful that this man’s experience will be a catalyst causing many more people from his village to access HIV services when offered to them during village trips.