Discussing Kalingalinga ART clinic

Submitted by MAXENSIO MUMBA (max73) about 7 months ago

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A focus group discussion was held at Kalingalinga Antiretroviral Clinic in Lusaka focusing on three main categories: universal access, care and support, and treatment for people living with HIV.

The antiretroviral (ART) clinic has five catchments areas and it’s great that counselling services are available in these areas. Hope World is one of the ART catchment areas for Kalingalinga clinic and they are lacking HIV testing equipment.

There is a shortage of trained health workers at the centre and a lot of work is being done by volunteer peer educators and support group members. It’s good the same volunteers were trained in adherence counselling and voluntary counselling and testing (VCT). VCT , including rapid testing, is done at the centre and in all catchment area communities.

The distance access for people living with HIV (PLHIV) is one of the major problems because some clients come to collect ARVs and medical attention. During the focus group discussion, it was pointed out that health workers are facing a shortage of HIV test kits.

The volunteers explained that health talks on HIV and AIDS are done nearly everyday. But, the problem is the clinic lacks resources.

There are condom demonstrations for PLHIV at the clinic and this is one of the most important programmes because sexually active people can avoid HIV transmission in the community. It was noted the clinic does not have enough female condoms. It’s important that PLHIV have the provision of information on abstinence because PLHIV need to be faithful, correct and consistent in condom use.

The preventing mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programmes are done at the female ward because it shows women living with HIV how to avoid transmitting the virus to their infants.

During the discussion PLHIV said they don’t receive the provision of food or nutritional support . Most of the clients are complaining about those on ARVs and TB treatment because they come from different backgrounds and areas. There is also need to assist OVCs in the community because they have no access to continue going to school.

The number of clients on ARVs is increasing and there is a lot of work at the clinic. Because of this the clinic is lacking health workers. The major responsibility of the adherence support workers at the clinic is to go in the community and visit clients who miss their ARVs. It’s great that all PLHIV know ARVs are free.

There is a need for HIV testing equipment, IEC (information education and communication) materials, trained health workers and female condoms at both the clinic and out in the catchment areas. There is also a need to focus on care and support for not just PLHIV but also orphans and vulnerable children and TB patients.

Keywords: care and support HIV testing HIV/AIDS I.E.C Materials lusaka OVC peer educators plhiv TB Zambia