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In a number of countries in southern Africa, a successful approach to HIV / AIDS has begun, which means that the epidemic in these countries is under control. A number of examples were presented Wednesday at the AIDS conference in Amsterdam, with projects in Namibia and eSwatini, the former Swaziland.
The Netherlands AIDS Fund played an important role in this project. In 2008, the AIDS fund won the so-called dream fund for the postal code lottery. This is a special money pot, in this case 6 million euros, which is meant to carry out a project considered very risky.
"At that time, there was already the idea that people who were well treated would not be but this has not yet been proven," says Louise van Deth, director of the AIDS Fund . The project examined what would happen if people with HIV had immediate HIV inhibitors
Worst result
At the start of the project in 2011, no country was more affected by the HIV. / AIDS that then Swaziland. One-third of the country's total population had HIV. "We started to bring existing HIV care closer to people, that's why we trained 160 nurses specifically, and you understand the impact if you know that until then there were 100 doctors who could treat HIV-positive people. "[19659002] In addition, better equipment and medical equipment went to clinics where people living with HIV and AIDS came. "Especially to make sure that HIV test results are available more quickly," says Van Deth.
The essence of the project's success is that it is consistent with the local culture. "We first trained the Chiefs after which there were discussions every Saturday on HIV / AIDS with women, men, youth, and children, and the leader was the first to be tested "says Van Deth. "Look when I say," You must be tested, "these people think," Who is this white lady? "But when Chief says it, they do it."
Men
According to Van Deth, men in Swaziland do not like going to clinics. They are for women and children. Therefore, a different approach was needed to test men. "These men have their cows disinfected in a kind of bath, where they go with their flocks, where they have pitched tents where they could be tested in their place."
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