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Rene Ekpini
of UNICEF. © IAS/Steve Shapiro - Commercialimage.net
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On the same
theme of keeping people in care, the Washington conference was told
that three-quarters of children in need of HIV therapy are not receiving
treatment, an unacceptable situation.
However, a
variety of schemes show that this situation can be remedied.
One, implemented in Malawi,
includes the provision of lifelong HIV treatment to all HIV-positive pregnant
women, regardless of their CD4 cell count.
Another
intervention in Zimbabwe has increased rates of diagnoses among children.
A number of
practical measures – often with the local community playing a pivotal role –
were also improving the retention of children in care.
These
included:
- Use of community volunteers to accompany children to clinic appointments.
- Patient advocacy.
- Provision of transport vouchers.
