Africa: 90,000 Living With HIV Treated by AHF

In Global by AHF

 

AHF & partners provide lifesaving HIV/AIDS care through over 40 sites in South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Eswatini, Nigeria and Sierra Leone
Coming soon: Treatment services in Liberia and Lesotho

Despite declines in new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths, Sub-Saharan Africa remains the most heavily affected region, according to UNAIDS. In 2011, an estimated 23.5 million people living with HIV were in Sub-Saharan Africa, representing 69% of the total number of people living with HIV worldwide.

AHF joined with local partners and opened the Ithembalabantu – “People’s Hope” healthcare center in Durban, South Africa in 2002 – its first healthcare center outside of the United States which has been the model for the organization’s global healthcare operations ever since.

Now providing treatment or care to 90,361 clients in Africa, AHF operates and supports healthcare centers in: South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Eswatini, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. Treatment services are in development in Liberia and Lesotho and will be open soon.

South Africa
15,986 clients • 2 sites

Uganda
38,993 clients • 22 sites

Zambia
13,780 clients • 4 sites

Rwanda
6,498 clients • 4 sites

Despite the challenges, the AHF Africa Bureau is making great strides in combatting the epidemic in this hard-hit region,” said Penninah Iutung Amor, Chief of AHF’s Africa Bureau. “The over 90,000 lives saved represent hope and life restored to so many families. Our task is still big. Prevention, treatment and care need to be scaled up faster. But, we remain resolute in our mission to save as many lives as possible.

South Africa

South Africa is one of the countries most impacted by the HIV epidemic. A staggering 18% of people in South Africa are living with HIV. AHF provides anti-retroviral treatment (ART) or care to 15,986 people living with HIV through healthcare centers in Umlazi, Middledrift, Mbashe and Mnquma

In the eThekwini District of KwaZulu-Natal Province—where one of AHF’s healthcare centers is located in the Umlazi Township—41.6% of pregnant women attending antenatal care in eThekwini were HIV-positive. In Umlazi, the Foundation works in collaboration with the KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape Departments of Health, the Municipal council of eThekwini, other community-based organizations.

Uganda

With 1.4 million people estimated to be living with HIV in Uganda the need to for access to anti-retroviral treatment is high in this landlocked country in East Africa. AHF’s Uganda Cares is one of the country’s largest providers of HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention and support services. AHF is caring for 38,993 clients in 22 sites across the country, many in rural, hard-to-reach areas. The Uganda Cares site at St. Balikuddembe Marketplace, one of the largest public marketplaces in East Africa, treats 3,809 alone. AHF’s program has been identified by the World Health Organization and UNAIDS as a best practice model for antiretroviral treatment.

Zambia

Though free ART became available through PEPFAR and Global Fund support in 2004, people with low incomes and those in rural areas are often unable to access treatment due to high transport costs and the long distances they must travel to reach clinics. AHF, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ), and the Salvation Army, currently cares for 13,780 patients through four healthcare centers in Chifundo, Chikankata, Choma and Monze.

Rwanda

It is estimated that 2.9% of people in Rwanda are HIV-positive. In January 2006, AHF partnered with the Global Fund, the National AIDS Control Commission and the Shyria, Kibagabaga and Kanombe Health Districts to roll out ART programs at two government sites. Today AHF works with two district governments treating 6,498 patients through six health centers in Kabuye, Kagugu, Kimironko, Kinyinya, Nyakigezi and Rwankeri. AHF’s program for preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission is particularly strong, including education, one-on-one counseling and preventative ART for mothers and exposed infants.

Ethiopia

AHF partners with the Worldwide Orphans Foundation (WWO) to offer comprehensive HIV services to clients living below the global poverty line both children and adults. We work together to keep parents healthy and children cared for. The WWO-AHF Family Health Center in Addis Ababa offers HIV testing, safer sex education and antiretroviral treatment to 1,892 people, including 601 pediatric patients.

Kenya

In Kenya, about 7% of all adults (ages 15-49) are HIV-positive. While the epidemic affects every segment of the population, Kenya’s 2009 modes of transmission analysis found that new infections were most likely to occur between heterosexual partners in steady relationships. AHF provides care for 3,083 patients through 4 healthcare centers in Kithituni, Kongowea, Mikindani and Mtongwe. Partners include the Ministry of Health, the Municipal Council of Mombasa, the Salvation Army and many community partners.

Eswatini

Like neighboring South Africa, Eswatini has been severely impacted by the HIV epidemic. According to the most recent estimates, adult HIV prevalence in 2009 was around 26% the highest in the world. Working with partners the Manzini Municipal Council, the Ministry of Health, Population Services International in conjunction with Family Life Association Eswatini and AMICAALL Eswatini, AHF established a healthcare center in Manzini, Eswatini second largest city in 2007, which now serves 8,318 patients.

Nigeria

Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, and consequently, has one of the largest populations of people living with HIV in the world second only to South Africa’s. An estimated 2.5 million children in Nigeria have been orphaned by AIDS. AHF provides care to 1,769 patients through three sites in Abuja, Gbajimba and Isanlu.

Sierra Leone

Approximately 1.6% of the people in Sierra Leone are HIV positive. In 2009, less than 20% of those in need of ART were receiving it. AHF is providing care to 43 patients through a Genner Wright healthcare center in Freetown.

Ethiopia
1,892 clients • 1 site

Kenya
3,082 clients • 4 sites

Eswatini
8,318 clients • 1 site

Nigeria
1,769 clients • 3 sites

In other government facilities, it takes long and you get condemned. But here at Uganda Cares, accessibility washes all those tears away.” – an AHF Uganda Cares client

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