Power of Love's pediatric HIV care program continues to improve the lives of several hundred children and families impacted by HIV, AIDS, and malaria in Zambia. The vision behind this program is to strengthen women and grandmothers so they can take care of their children and sick family members at home. We do this by providing food, medicine, and a package of life-saving healthcare services to HIV positive children, as well as training the caregivers of HIV positive children in caring for these children at home.
From the Field
Our Project Nurse sent us an update on the health of the 200 children in our program. For an HIV positive child, we use 3 indicators of an improvement in health: weight, CD4 count, and opportunistic infections. Out of a total of 200 children, only three children lost weight or had lower CD4 counts - the remaining children either maintained or increased their weight/CD4 counts. There was a marked decline in the frequency of opportunistic infections in Sept. 2013 as compared to Jan. 2013. Additionally, as a result of the provision of soya supplement to about 100 malnourished children, none of the children in our program were malnourished as of Sept 2013. Finally, all but one child on ARVs are adhering to their medications.
To sum, the health of all but three children has been stable or improving since Jan 2013. The improved health of the children has also increased their school attendance and performance.
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