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The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program meets patients where they are to better meet their individual needs and remove unnecessary barriers to care. An innovative approach used in PEPFAR programming in Ethiopia is the Differentiated Service Delivery Model (DSDM), which addresses the unique needs of people in healthcare.
Mekdes, a single parent living in the town of Assela, was identified as possibly a contact of someone who was HIV positive, so it was important for her to get tested. At first she refused to get tested; people living with HIV face stigma and discrimination, and she feared that testing positive for HIV would affect her economically. However, after repeated conversations with a social worker, who knew from her assessment that she was at risk of becoming HIV positive, she decided to go to a health center to get tested. She tested positive for HIV and was immediately linked to treatment to reduce her risk of developing AIDS.
By taking a community-based approach, which connects close contacts of HIV-positive individuals with testing services, the health worker was able to evaluate Mekdes’ child, who also tested positive for HIV. Both mother and child were matched with care and treatment and started a medication program to reduce the amount of virus in their bodies and keep them symptom-free and healthy. To ensure that Mekdes and her child adhered to the program, the PEPFAR project assigned a household social worker to help determine the type of support they would need.
The city’s social worker and Community Coalition Committee (CCC) provided food aid and clothing for her child. After addressing their immediate needs, the program’s support team continued to visit Mekdes and her child to make sure they were okay.
Because of the positive impact on her life, Mekdes became interested in participating in the PEPFAR project. Now she is thrilled to have joined the community advisory group for other women living with HIV. She expressed her gratitude saying, “Since I’ve connected and befriended women who share my status, the group has helped me a lot.” The community support group provides a safe space for Mekdes and her colleagues to discuss their health issues without fear of prejudice. They also share valuable tips and advice based on their experiences with healthcare professionals.
Before joining the group, Mekdes struggled with depression and felt unable to confide in anyone about her status. She feared discrimination and unfair treatment. However, the support and encouragement she received from the group gave her the confidence to speak openly about her status and educate others about the importance of HIV testing.
Mekdes also joined the Village Saving and Loan Association (VSLA) group to start saving money and enrolled in an asset transfer program that allowed her to sell sugar cane in the market through cooperation with the CCC. Mekdes was also able to secure a government grant with support from the CCC. She is grateful that she no longer has to spend half of her income, which she previously earned washing clothes, on rent. Instead, she can use that money to better care for her child.
Mekdes’ story is a testament to the power of community and collaboration. Through the support of the PEPFAR program, women like Mekdes can overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. Her journey serves as an inspiration to others facing similar challenges, and she hopes to continue sharing her experiences to help others in need.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of the US Embassy in Ethiopia.
This press release is issued by APO. The content is not checked by the African Business editors and none of the content has been checked or validated by our editors, proofreaders or fact-checkers. The publisher is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief’s (PEPFAR) Support empowers women to achieve independence
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