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Service Yezu Mwiza provides comprehensive care for people living with HIV (PLWHIV). This support consists of 2 components: the medical component and the psychosocial component. Health mediators provides the latter.

A health mediator (HM) is a healthcare provider who acts as an intermediary between the patient and the healthcare staff in the management of HIV.
The role of the health mediator is essential in the overall care of PLWHIV. When the test turns out to be positive, it supports the patient in his illness by providing him with therapeutic education so that the latter can change his behavior and accept to live positively with HIV and therefore adhere to ARV treatment. The success of the health mediator is that the person screened for HIV + is adhering to treatment and that after 6 months their viral load becomes undetectable.

In company with those of the medical staff, the HM organize raids to the homes of beneficiaries to track the lost to follow-up, delays in appointments; see the elderly or disabled who cannot reach SYM in order to inquire about their state of health. Visits are also made to hospitalized PLWHIV. The team provides them moral and spiritual support and sometimes a nutritional kit when needed.
 The relationship of trust is the climate that reigns between PLWHIV and HM. However, we can sometimes note a certain mistrust among some beneficiaries, not opening up to dialogue.

According to Doctor Derrick, head of the mobile clinic, the HM plays a crucial role in the care of HIV, as he knows the experience of the PLWHIV outside the medical settings, which allows him to provide a good follow-up and support to the patient.
“The responsibility of health mediator in a structure like SYM taking care of vulnerable beneficiaries pleases me a lot. Seeing that thanks to my contribution when I give therapeutic education, the patient adheres correctly to the ARV treatment, which leads him to have an undetectable viral load and cannot therefore infect his sexual partners. This gives me a feeling of satisfaction because in a way I am saving lives.” concludes Mrs Elisabeth, head of the Mediation Service.