Caring for Children with AIDS
In 2005 antiretroviral medicine became available free of charge in Malawi through the Global Fund rollout of antiretrovirals for everyone infected with the AIDS virus, however children under 13 years of age were excluded.
We could no longer stand by and watch these innocent children suffer the painful and undignified death that is the final outcome of AIDS – so for the first two years we began our own programme caring for twelve children, buying the antiretroviral medicine at an annual cost of $500 per child.
In 2007 the antiretroviral medicines to treat HIV/AIDS became available free of charge for all, making it possible for us to expand our project.
To ensure they want to come for their clinical assessment we made our centre as unlike a medical facility as possible. We provide football and netball facilities, books, toys, games, even a TV (a great rarity at that time). It works exceptionally well and the children are eager to attend, arrive early and do not want to leave at the end of the day.
The image is of a real success story; these two young men came to us as infants, desperately sick having been infected by their mothers at birth with HIV.
Both were bright and ambitious and with support from a friend of the organisation they both went to medical school and have just qualified, one as a nurse the other as a clinical officer.
Our programme is a great success and certified as a Centre of Excellence but HIV/AIDS is a difficult area to raise funds for and welcome all support.
For those children who lived far away and where there is no transport we organise bicycle taxis to bring them for their 4 weekly clinical assessment.
Caring for Children with AIDS
In 2005 antiretroviral medicine became available free of charge in Malawi through the Global Fund rollout of antiretrovirals for everyone infected with the AIDS virus, however children under 13 years of age were excluded.
We could no longer stand by and watch these innocent children suffer the painful and undignified death that is the final outcome of AIDS – so for the first two years we began our own programme caring for twelve children, buying the antiretroviral medicine at an annual cost of $500 per child.
In 2007 the antiretroviral medicines to treat HIV/AIDS became available free of charge for all, making it possible for us to expand our project.
To ensure they want to come for their clinical assessment we made our centre as unlike a medical facility as possible. We provide football and netball facilities, books, toys, games, even a TV (a great rarity at that time). It works exceptionally well and the children are eager to attend, arrive early and do not want to leave at the end of the day.
The image is of a real success story; these two young men came to us as infants, desperately sick having been infected by their mothers at birth with HIV.
Both were bright and ambitious and with support from a friend of the organisation they both went to medical school and have just qualified, one as a nurse the other as a clinical officer.
Our programme is a great success and certified as a Centre of Excellence but HIV/AIDS is a difficult area to raise funds for and welcome all support.
For those children who lived far away and where there is no transport we organise bicycle taxis to bring them for their 4 weekly clinical assessment.
Case Studies
Want to know more about the medical work we undertake in Malawi? Visit our case studies for an overview of some of the conditions we treat every day.
