EUROPE/ITALY - “Drug Resource Enhancement against Aids and Malnutrition” to fight HIV in countries with limited resources

Thursday, 1 December 2005

Rome (Fides Service) - On World AIDS Day the S. Egidio community recalled the most effective programme to prevent AIDS in Africa: DREAM Drug Resource Enhancement against Aids and Malnutrition to fight HIV infection in countries with limited resources.
The DREAM programme which aims to combine prevention and treatment to save lives is operative in Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry, Angola.
It is a programme of public medical care and applied research, and includes HIV testing, anti-retroviral treatment, training of love doctors, nurses, laboratory operators, health education in places of work, in prisons, among prostitutes, mother/child health centres, to prevent mother/child transmission at birth, laboratories of molecule biology, prevention and treatment of AIDS connected diseases, sexually transmitted, opportunistic infections, feeding support for HIV+ persons and home assistance.
The programme distributes food, according the size of families, economic and health conditions which is part of the local diet and complete nutritional needs, not forgetting soap for prisoners inserted in the programme.
DREAM which helps pregnant mothers and mother and babies, is the choice of the future for Africa. It is fundamental to give mothers anti-retroviral treatment before and after birth to prevent an increase in the number of orphans. At special Centres pregnant mothers are tested and those who are HIV positive are given proper treatment. Mothers are advised to remain at these centres for the first three days after birth for DREAM after birth treatment. (AP) (1/12/2995 Agenzia Fides; Righe:37 Parole:376)


Share: