As part of HIV infection control and monitoring, SYM has implemented an active screening strategy, the index testing allowing it to screen people who have been exposed to HIV who, for one reason or another, do not go to health facilities for testing.
Indeed, this activity is carried out at the community level by the SYM Health Mediators team and RAFG Activity Community Project staff member. Beneficiaries are sexual partners with detectable viral load and new HIV + screened cases.
When there is a case that becomes positive, the patient is enrolled in ARV treatment as soon as possible and we look for other cases to index from this person. To achieve this, during post-test counseling, we make contacts and the full addresses of people who have had unprotected sex with PLWHA to test them. We raid the community to search for the person who has been indexed. Some of them accept and others refuse screening.
Health mediators on the way for index screening
Index testing is an innovative strategy in that it helps to find HIV-positive people who ignore themselves. In only August 2019, indexed screening contributed to 100% of the positive cases found.
N.C, 19 old, who weighs only 24 kg at that age, has just tested positive for HIV and testifies: "Since the beginning of this disease, I have developed diarrhea and an unbearable cough. As I was going to the health center and the drugs I was prescribed were not improving my health, I decided to consult the witches who unfortunately did nothing for me. I hope that I will regain my health as my illness is finally discovered. "
"I am proud to have accompanied this patient who is now like a resurrected one. The diarrhea has given way and the patient is currently on anti-tuberculosis treatment and ARVs," says Dr Blaise, a doctor at SYM.SYM: Distribution of school kits to members of associations of people affected by leprosy
SYM: Sensitization on pre and post-exposure to HIV in Kayanza and Ngozi
SYM: Managing co-morbidities among people living with HIV
SYM: Quarterly meeting of community relays
Distribution of work tools to young volunteers and to the pillars of the SRH community solutions project called