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Anti-Tuberculosis Program through Community DOTS in Lusaka
Compounds |
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In the most populated unplanned settlement area of Lusaka
City, called compounds, people suffer from HIV/AIDS and
Tuberculosis (TB), the most life-threatening opportunistic
infection of HIV/AIDS.
By promoting Community DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment
Short-course), this program assists public health institutions
of Lusaka City in combating TB as the primary cause of
death among People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs). Every
public hospital and health center faces shortage in financial
and human resources.
Thus, it is vital to mobilize untapped capacity within
the local community. Since TB treatment requires rigid
drug adherence and failing to do so leads to a huge risk
of producing multidrug-resistant TB, the patients need
support from family members and neighbors while coping
with social discrimination and stigma.
This program is establishing a model to protect communities
by the communities by encouraging local residents to become
volunteers, get trained and contribute as TB treatment
supporters who have such roles as conducting health education,
monitoring of drug-taking, encouraging patients through
home visit, contact tracing, and record-keeping of patients
and drug-supply at health centers to which they actually
belong. As awareness and understanding on TB among compound
residents have been enhanced, and drug adherence has improved,
the TB mortality rate has reduced. For the next phase,
the program plans to effectively link the strategy of
TB with that of HIV/AIDS through enhancing measures at
the community level. |
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| Promotion
of Community Development through Community-financing |
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At the outskirt of George Compound, Lusaka City, a new
approach of community development is being tested through
a community-managed "Community Center". AMDA used to run
the community center, which had aimed at developing a
comprehensive model for community development, and recently
transferred its management to a local organization. With
the land of 2.8 hectors and facilities, a number of activities
are conducted such as farm (garden and poultry), community
school, vocational training and youth recreation center.
Soybeans are expected to contribute to improving nutrition
of people. Chickens and other crops such as tomatoes and
cabbages are also grown and sold locally to raise funds.
The community school offers courses for children who are
not affordable for public schools. The vocational training
consists of tailoring and computer classes. The recreational
center was built, intended for the healthy development
of the local youth because the lack of amusement is one
of biggest reasons for crimes, spread of HIV/AIDS and
drugs.
The center offers them sports activities such as basketball,
table tennis, snooker and library. In addition, a two-unit
apartment was also built in another compound to assist
continuous financing to those activities including community
DOTS. |
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