Buyer’s Club

Voluntary Testing

 The Comprehensive Continuum of Care (CCC) Centres

The changing of the PHAs role: from a “Service Receiver” to a “Co-Provider”

PLWHA started working together as a group and later became a network. Currently the TNP+ national network is comprised of 7-regional networks which incorporate 900 PLWHA groups. All networks have common goals, which are to increase the quality of life of PLWHAs and people affected by HIV/AIDS, to promote understanding and awareness of HIV/AIDS issues and to promote societal acceptance of PLWHA so that they can live harmoniously in the community.

Preparing PLWHAs to care for their peers receiving ARV treatment has become an important task to undertake since the initiation of treatment. This is to prepare PLWHAs for what they might encounter whilst taking ARV. For example, side effects, drug allergies, issues to do with adherence and a life-long commitments to taking medication. Therefore, it is necessary for PLWHAs to have comprehensive information on ARV in addition to an effective follow up system.

Finally, the working model that began with caring for each other in the group has developed into working together with the hospital. The new model is called the “Comprehensive Continuum of Care” (CCC). This new working model aims to develop the public health care system in the treatment of PLWHAs to ensure that they receive continual and standard treatment for OIs and access to ARV as well as receiving psycho-social care.

Leaders of each PLWHA group will receive training on the treatment of OIs and ARV, information on providing counseling, follow up and continuity of care. Later, support teams from TNP+, AIDS ACCESS Foundation and MSF-Belgium will continue to support them and ensure their work is carried out effectively and consistency.

Currently, there are 160 PLWHA groups working in CCC centres nationwide. We aim to have CCC centres in all community hospitals in every region of the country.

We found that CCC centres make a difference. Our peers now have accurate information about self care and about taking medication. They are healthy and inspired. Many of them are able to return to work and live a normal life.