Experience has shown us that HIV treatment and care is most effective when our clients have a healthy support structure at home. We must address any shortfalls in our clients’ family environment and strengthen community services to ensure our clients do not return to ill health in the long term.
While the child/adolescent is receiving facility-based treatment and care, we identify what psychosocial challenges exist within their home and implement activities to rectify these. We begin this process by delivering direct counselling to the child/adolescent and their caregiver, as most cases require immediate and urgent attention – and a delay would be detrimental to the child/adolescent.
We often find that caregivers are ill-equipped to administer medication, experience food insecurity and are dealing with their own feelings of guilt or shame. At times, personal views and/or beliefs in traditional medicine interfere with the requirement for our clients’ HIV treatment and care to continue at home. Sadly, there are times when abuse or neglect is the problem, and the child/adolescent must be placed with other family members or in a foster home. We use these cases to mentor facility-based healthcare workers on how to establish relationships with the Department of Social Development and/or community networks for ongoing support.
Unfortunately, stigma and misinformation still exist at a community level, and this – combined with the lack of skilled, community-based healthcare workers – results in poor support for a child/adolescent on treatment and their families at home. We are currently identifying activities that will allow us to engage with communities and school health structures that will support HIV prevention, treatment and care strategies.
Fiona joined the Board at CHIVA Africa in 2019. Fiona studied Law at Oxford University and started her career as a Barrister practicing in Chancery chambers before moving into financial services.
Shaun became a trustee for CHIVA Africa in February 2019. He is a South African qualified lawyer and holds the position of Chief Legal Officer at Cairn Capital, a leading European asset manager.
Dr Mo Archary is a Paediatric Infectious Diseases Specialist at King Edward VIII Hospital, Durban and the University of KwaZulu-Natal: Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine.
Lauren joined the board in 2019, and is a lawyer by training and built a successful legal career in South Africa, specialising in public interest and media law. Lauren has lectured in media law, ethics and public interest law and takes a special interest in furthering the cause of women and those disadvantaged in South Africa.
Dr Moshal is the founder of CHIVA Africa and CHIVA South Africa and has chaired the CHIVA Africa Board of Trustees since its registration as a charity in 2009. Born and raised in South Africa, Karyn graduated in medicine from the University of Cape Town in 1988.