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Success Story
USAID increases access
to HIV prevention, care,
and support services.
Living Positively With HIV in Uganda
Photo: John Snow, Inc.\John Snow
Dickens Alyao prepares for a community
awareness session
“Because of USAID, we are
well trained in counseling
and referrals, and people
trust us,” said Dickens
Alyao.
Dickens Alyao is no stranger to the fear and uncertainty
associated with HIV. Ten years ago, he tested positive for HIV
while on active duty in the military. Today, at 46, Alyao is the
father of six children (all of whom are HIV negative) and an active
USAID-trained network support agent in his home community of
Aloi, Lira district.
USAID’s Northern Uganda Malaria, AIDS, and TB program
(NUMAT), works to strengthen linkages between health clinics
and communities by training network support agents like Alyao,
who are often living with HIV or AIDS. Network support agents
are trained to raise community awareness and support people
through testing, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care in their
communities.
“I came back to Lira in 2004 and organized a small support group
for 27 HIV positive people. But this was before NUMAT, and we
could only advise people about living with HIV,” said Alyao.
“There were no drugs [for treatment], and no health services
available in Lira. Now, people can be tested and drugs are
available. When people started coming back after the confl ict
stopped in 2006, we knew we had to tell the community about
HIV and we were very happy that USAID could support us. Today,
there are 669 members in our network and, in our health unit,
there are 1,100 people receiving HIV treatment.
“Because of USAID, we are well trained in counseling and
referrals, and people trust us. When we speak to communities,
we introduce ourselves as people living with HIV, we tell them
why it is important to get tested, that there is treatment available,
and tell them how we are living positively with HIV. When they
come to the health facility, we are there and that makes them feel
comfortable. We counsel them about the test and about the drugs.
Female network support agents speak to pregnant women about
prevention-of-mother-to-child transmission, side-by-side with
health workers. If we need to, we see them in their homes.
“Life is still very difficult, but we are very grateful for the health
services. I am very happy that I am making a difference for other
people who, like me, are living with HIV. I expect to live another 40
years and I will keep working for my community as long as I can.”
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