Directory for People With HIV/AIDS. 15/2/11

Namibia Network of AIDS Service Organisations directory will provide info about support groups to communities, Government, donor agencies and individuals interested in activities run by such groups.

AllAfrica

Windhoek — The Namibia Network of AIDS Service Organisations (NANASO) last week launched a support group directory for people living with HIV/AIDS, a first of its kind in the country.

It would, among others, provide information about support groups to communities, Government, donor agencies and individuals interested in activities run by such groups. The directory will also serve as a catalyst for individuals living with HIV/AIDS.

NANASO board Vice-President, Marriane Erastus, said the directory was established "as a way of ensuring and enabling those who are interested to access information on who is who and where, as well as the kind of support rendered to those who are infected".

She revealed that NANASO is working on the 2011/12 directory for civil society, which would be released in due course should resources permit.

Also making a presentation at the occasion, Andrew Harris of Anpris Consultancy said support groups of people living with HIV/AIDS have emerged as a significant feature of the response to HIV/AIDS in the last four to five years.

He said support groups are important community-based responses that offer a range of mutual care and support actions, in response to a range of challenges faced by people living with HIV/AIDS.

In her keynote address, the World Health Organisation (WHO) Country Representative, Dr Magda Robalo, said the emergence of support groups is an important process, led by everyday people in countless communities.

"It is an exciting example of grassroots change in response to a hostile environment. We just did not know how strong this grassroots movement was," she said, adding that the directory makes an interesting read.

She also highlighted a number of aspects that are found in the book.

"A striking feature is how women are leading the process," Robalo added. Among others, she said the directory highlights a small survey of Lironga Eparu support group members carried out in 2009. She pointed out that 82 percent of the group (Lironga Eparu group) were women and of this 63 percent were 35 years and older.

She said this is not only a reflection of the fact that HIV infection rates are highest among people between the ages of 25 and 40 years, "but it is more a clear indication that it is older women who have the courage to challenge stigma and come to find and give support".

Robalo said group members learn more about health care services such as voluntary counselling and testing, counselling services and prevention of mother-to-child transition and are able to develop acceptance of their status, build self-esteem and find the surrounding environment friendlier at the individual, family and community level.

"There is a great deal more to learn from this directory," Robalo stressed. She said the directory shows how support groups are emerging all over the country.

In the north-central regions, almost every constituency has at least one group. She said Erongo, Caprivi and Karas have a high coverage, although data for the Karas Region was received only after the directory was compiled.

"There are many more questions and opportunities that the directory raises for national policy makers and agencies like the WHO," Robalo stated. The event also marked the launch oflaunch NANASO's bi-annual report and the small grant fund report.