By JAMES KILA
THE Clinton Foundation’s rural initiative
project on the distribution of anti-retroviral drugs (ARV) to HIV/AIDS
patients in rural areas of Eastern Highlands province began on a high
note.
This followed a successful clinical outreach at Openga and Koko day
clinics near Asaro in EHP last week.
The health fairs at the two venues were organised by the Clinton
Foundation HIV Rural Initiative to kick-start VCT programme, which
attracted several hundreds of people, who came forward for HIV testing
and more still wanting tests.
The chief executive officer of the Goroka Base Hospital Dr Joseph Apa
encouraged people in the province to go for volunteer testing and
counselling to know their HIV status.
Dr Apa issued a challenge to the people of EHP to change their attitude
about HIV.
Dr Apa also appealed for support for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA)
and assist them to enroll for ARV programmes with the hospital.
The Rural Outreach Programme at Goroka Hospital visited Openda day
clinic and Koko to execute its normal clinical outreach programme but
also had the opportunity to combine two other programmes, namely the
specialist medical officers’ clinic and the VCT for HIV for the first
time.
Dr Apa thanked the people of Lunumbe and Koko for their support,
cooperation and willingness to participate as a rural aid post VCT
centre.
HIV/ARV programme was an initiative of the Clinton Foundation to make
VCT centres accessible to many people in the rural areas and provide ARV
to PLWHAs.
The pilot project aims to test all the people of EHP for HIV
surveillance purpose.
