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In order to improve the link between the clinic and the community, SYM through the RAFG Activity project has just implemented a patient-centered HIV management strategy through community-based relays. 10 community relays have been identified in the SYM active queue to help improve peer support.

After identification, a training session for these community relays was organized at SYM office on February 18, 2020 to give them the necessary knowledge in HIV testing techniques in their community for optimal management.
"We are concerned about the screening of sexual partners, patients who are lost to follow-up that sometimes we do not find, without forgetting the irregularity in biological monitoring, especially the viral load. We expect these community relays will contribute by bringing their building stone to meet this challenge after this training session. Because the pair education will allow us to easily reach the patient in his living environment, given that these community relays are chosen from stable patients who follow their treatment well, who can read and write, but also demonstrated a sense of leadership in their community "Says Dr NUNU Blaise, RAFG Activity project manager at Service Yezu Mwiza.

All participants in that training have each had the opportunity to manipulate this HIV self-testing material. They appreciated this strategy because some people refuse to come to the clinic when they are aware of HIV testing. Each participant received Oraquick kits that they will use in community screening.
“We are satisfied with the achievements of this training, we have learned so much and with this screening tool that SYM has just made available to us, will allow us to easily help all those people in our community who have PLWHIV as partners but are afraid to go to health facilities to get tested. We are also willing to help in this quest so that by 2030 we no longer talk of HIV in our community. ” testifies one of the community relays after training