HIV/AIDS Depistage

Kendeya started its new activities for 2010 with a HIV/AIDS depistage in the village of Balori, a now regular destination for KCHP. Music gradually gathered the community together, and when people of all ages and occupations were present, a theatre sketch organised by the drama group of the community radio Giggi Sembe, took place. Through a dramatic and entertaining performance villagers were informed of some of the main causes and consequences of HIV/AIDS. Alongside this outdoor theatrical presentation, inside the local school Dr Sy, the HIV/AIDS social worker of the district of Saraya, provided more in-depth and confidential consultation to villagers, and midwife Fatou Kan, carried out the testing. The community reaffirmed its commitment and interest by participating enthusiastically at the event. Overall, the depistage was deemed a success, as KCHP was able to test 60% of the population of Balori for HIV/AIDS.

The community begins to gather as music is played

Radio director Moussa Danfakha entertains the community

The Imam and the chef du village, enjoying the drama performance

Posted by Annarita

Mother-to-child transmission

From the 18th to the 30th of December, KCHP and a team of midwives and nurses from the health district of Saraya traveled to 17 villages to conduct prenatal consultations. The team was able to reach over 100 pregnant women as a part of the PTME (Prévention - Transmission - Mère - Enfant) program. This initiative seeks to prevent mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV, which can occur during pregnancy, labor and delivery, or breastfeeding. As a part of this program, HIV/AIDS testing was provided in order to inform women of their HIV/AIDS status, and, if necessary, commence antiretroviral treatment (ART) as well as schedule periodic follow up visits.

During villages' visits, the health district team also conducted general medical checkups for the population and administered monthly PEV vaccinations (Programme Élargi de Vaccination) to children under one year old.

Women in the village of Bambadji waiting to be seen by the midwife for their prenatal consultations.

Saraya's lab assistant Gouda Diaby (right) is ready to administer a blood test.

Posted by Annarita

Community Health Workers learn to diagnose and treat Onchocerciasis

The KCHP sponsored a community health worker training on Onchocerciasis, commonly known as river blindness, for 20 Agents de Santé Communautaire (ASCs) working the zone of Khossanto.

What is Onchocerciasis?

Onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness, is the world's second leading infectious cause of blindness and is endemic in the region surrounding Saraya. The small black flies that transmits the disease thrive along the beds of the nearby Gambia and Falémé Rivers. The fly’s noxious bite injects parasites into the victims skin which cause intense itching and irritation of the skin. The greatest danger lies in that if not properly treated, infection can result in irreversible blindness.

In remote villages where formal healthcare is often inaccessible, ASCs hold a considerably high degree of responsibility and are well respected in their communities. In the case of Onchocerciasis, ASCs are relied upon to distribute and administer the annual treatment of Ivermectin, a drug used to fight the progression of the disease. In order to halt the spread of the disease in many endemic areas, every person in every community—with few exceptions, e.g., children under five years and pregnant women do not receive treatment—is treated annually with a single dose of the drug Ivermectin.

In the district of Saraya, government funding for the Onchocerciasis program was severely cut this year, and as a result, treatment coverage rates fell to as low as 60%. As a result, ACS

training was not well funded or organized, resulting in problems during community treatments, including the improper dosages of children, which can have serious side effects.

In order to ensure that this coming year would see successful and thorough coverage, ASCs were invited to participate in KCHP's supplemental training day. The day commenced with an introduction to the disease, including a discussion of the symptoms and dangers of the disease. A lively discussion in both French and Malinké ensued. More experienced ASCs were encouraged to come to the front of the classroom to answer questions raised by newer ASCs, as seen in the above photo.

The day culminated in a delicious meal shared by the ACS's and KCHP staff.