This project will build capacity of people living with HIV, religious leaders, traditional leaders on drug adherence and retention as one way of addressing faith healing in Malawi which has resulted into an increase in number of AIDS related deaths. To achieve this MANERELA+ will engage the Ministry of Health, Justice and Gender, District Councils, Religious bodies, print and electronic media and the whole community at large through dialogue meetings and training's on drug adherence.
Long after the HIV epidemic has been with us. In light of overwhelming scientific evidence that until today there is no cure for HIV and AIDS, communities and some individuals continue to be duped into believing that through prayer, the HIV virus can leave one's body. Call them Pastors, men of God, Prophets, etc they have cunningly made individuals believe that through faith, the HIV virus can leave their bodies. Unlucky ones have sadly lost their lives and some have been on the verge of death
MANERELA+ intends to address this problem by training people living with HIV on drug adherence versus faith healing. MANERELA+ will also train the expert clients on how to follow the defaulters. These will also be provided with bicycles to assist during follow ups. There will be also the engagement of various stakeholders through dialogue meetings on faith healing and awareness campaigns at community level on drug adherence and retention.
The project will train 80 expert clients who will be responsible for educating the rural masses on drug adherence in their respective communities which will in turn reduce reported cases of AIDS related deaths due to faith healing. The project will also identify and train religious leaders who will be the change agents championing drug adherence in their respective communities. The media involvement in this project will also have a great impact in dissemination of messages on drug adherence
This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).
