Menstruation : keeping girls away from school in Zambia

By Meluse Kapatamoyo

Today the world commemorates Menstrual Hygiene Day. Launching the day on ZNBC television last evening under the theme 'Act together to support Menstrual Hygiene in Schools' Education minister, Michael Kaingu said hundreds of girls in Zambia miss classes monthly, while some stop school altogether once they start to menstruate.

What measures should be put in place to ensure that girls are made to feel more comfortable and stay in school when they are menstruating? PYM menstruation 

 

Yeast Infection : What you should know

 

By Meluse Kapatamoyo

 

I would like to welcome you all to the new year. Apologies that it has taken me a little longer than usual to get down to responding to your queries. It could not be helped. I had to let our consulting doctors enjoy the festive holiday.

So, our first query for the year 2015 is on Yeast Infection. I spoke to Dr Mulindi Mwanahamuntu, a consultant Gynaecologist at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH).

Pokeyourmind :  What is Yeast Infection and how common is this condition among women?

Dr Mulindi Mwanahamuntu

Dr Mulindi Mwanahamuntu : Yeast infection is a result of over growth of a fungus Candida Albicans, which is normally found in small amounts in the vagina. There are reasons why it can grow out of control e.g.

 
(a) Change in the acidity of the vagina caused by washing the vagina, outing detergents, powders and chemicals in the vagina, long term use of antibiotics which destroy necessary acid forming vaginal bacteria, douching, or even herbs or wearing tight or wet underwear.

(b) change in the sugar levels as in diabetes

(c) change in hormone profiles particularly in late stages of pregnancy when estrogens and progesterones increase including external sourced cortisones found in skin toning medicines normally used by many women to look brown

(d) change in the immunity status whether by untreated HIV or by taking drugs that lower immunity.

Pokeyourmind : Can it be sexually transmitted?

Dr Mulindi Mwanahamuntu : It can be transmitted by oral sex or penetrative sex although men don't usually have prolonged genital yeast.  Oral sex transmission is because the mouth can have yeast, a condition called thrush or candidiasis.

Pokeyourmind : What type of treatment is recommended?

Dr Mulindi Mwanahamuntu : Symptoms such as excessive discharge, itching or burning/itching urination signify yeast infection. It is important to see a doctor since the root cause must be detected. Some treatments that require insertion medications are not good in state of pregnancy. All these cautions need a doctor to verify. Many people treat themselves wrongly with antibiotics or metronidazole making the situation worse.

Pokeyourmind : Can women continue to be sexually active while receiving treatment?

Dr Mulindi Mwanahamuntu : It is advisable to stop sex during treatment until treatment ends.

Pokeyourmind : What preventive measures should women take to avoid getting the infection?

Dr Mulindi Mwanahamuntu : Prevention measures include not wearing tight or wet clothing, removing swimming clothes immediately and anal wiping direction from front to back. It is equally important to AVOID washing the vagina using detergents, powders and chemicals. Avoid long term use of antibiotics which destroy necessary acid forming vaginal bacteria, douching, or even herbs.

 

Pokeyourmind : Are there any special foods that women should be eating to avoid infection?
Dr Mulindi Mwanahamuntu : Diet is not emphasized, but a good intake of yogurt after a course of antibiotics or general poor health is encouraged as this may restore normal levels of a bacteria called lactobacillus, through a "desirable" anal vaginal cross contamination. PYM 

Chipata compound to have 1000 tested for HIV

By Meluse Kapatamoyo

As the world gears up to commemorate World AIDS Day, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation Zambia (AHF) is targeting to test 1000 people at its commemorative event.

Under the theme, ‘Zambia at 50 towards zero stigma’, the commemoration will take place at the Chipata compound grounds on Saturday, November 29.

Photo / ITUC-CSI

AHF Zambia Country Programme Manager, Victoria Kalota said in addition to testing 1000 people, the event will also create awareness around HIV/AIDS stigma.

“Our target is to link 80 percent of all who test HIV positive to health centres for care and treatment. As we test and sensitise, we will also distribute condoms and refer all negative men for male circumcision,” she said.

 

Joining the day’s event will be several AHF Zambia partners who will offer services such as circumcision, cancer screening, and general health related services.

The commemoration will start with a march past led by the Zambia army band and majorettes to the Chipata grounds. At the grounds the support group will sensitise people through drama performances, songs, dances and a football competition.

AHF global is also on a mission to extend access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) to 20 million people by year 2020. The  20x20 campaign will be highlighted by asking citizens to add their red ribbon of support to a pin board on Saturday.

The campaign challenges the current shortfall of treatment as currently only 12 million out of the estimated 35 million people living with HIV worldwide are on treatment. PYM

 

 

I got circumcised to give my partner sexual pleasure

 

By Meluse Kapatamoyo

 

Health experts say Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision can reduce contraction of HIV by 60 percent. But despite the benefits, most men still shy away from the cut citing various reasons, among them pain during and after the operation. However, the belief that circumcision reduces sensitivity during sex, is responsible for much of the resistance.

So a challenge came through from one of my readers asking me to find a man who would be willing to speak candidly about circumcision. It took me a while to find someone who was ready to speak on the issue without 'hiding' under the name of anonymous. But one person was willing to share his story after reading my notice.

Here is my short interview with Innocent Matyola, aged 41, who got circumcised in 2009.

Pokeyourmind: What or who motivated you to undergo circumcision

Innocent Matyola

Innocent: It is something i had thought about for a long time. i decided get circumcised  firstly 
for personal hygiene, as well as giving my wife pleasurable love making.

Pokeyourmind : Pleasurable love making...does circumcision guarantee that, how?

 

Innocent : It does. It gives you endurance and confidence.  You do not get to experience premature ejaculation.

Pokeyourmind: Okay, but what about talk that it reduces sensitivity. Any truth in that statement?

Innocent : To some extent yes. But that also has a benefit in that reduced sensitivity guarantees your partner to have the much required orgasm. Too much sensitivity has always led to premature ejaculation.

Pokeyourmind : So, low sensitivity does not worry you?
 

Innocent : It always makes me feel I should as well work to satisfy my wife. As you may know and I should attest to the fact that men have always had to ejaculate even when their women counterparts were left unsatisfied. So it doesn't bother me at all.

Pokeyourmind : Okay. I guess she appreciates the sacrifice. Now tell me, did you have any fears or concerns prior to the operation?

 

Innocent : As a matter of fact I almost all the time wished I should have gotten circumcised. I had a habit of pulling my foreskin most of the time so I appreciated the idea before the operation. So for me it was something i looked forward to. Besides its a small operation which healed in two weeks but a few days after i was able to get round and do my normal errands.

Pokeyourmind : You hail from the Southern part of Zambia where circumcision is not commonly practiced. Do you openly talk about it and do you encourage men from your area to get circumcised?

 

Innocent : I openly talk about being circumcised and why i did it and the benefits and am proud to say, that a number of people i have shared my story with have gone ahead to get circumcised despite coming from Southern Province where this is not a common practice as is the trend i areas like North-Western Province.

Pokeyourmind : Do you have sons and if so are they circumcised?

Innocent : I do have sons  but they are yet to get circumcised but i intend to have them circumcised. PYM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nominate your 2014 PEPFAR Champion

By Meluse Kapatamoyo

 

The Presidents Emergency Planfor AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Champions contest is back!

Focus of the contest this year will be on people who have gone the extra mile to promote equal access to quality HIV services for all Zambians.

"Information and interventions for HIV prevention and risk reduction remain unavailable for some marginalized groups in Zambia, such as persons with disabilities, sex workers, and prisoners.

 

We could like to honor Champions who support PEPFAR’s public health approach by striving to reach the thousands of Zambians who are not able to access HIV services, “ says PEPFAR Development Outreach and Communications Specialist, Kathryn Koonce.

2013 PEPFAR CHAMPIONS RECIEPIENTS

Last year, 12 champions were crowned at the inaugural PEPFAR Champions Award Ceremony held at the luxurious Radisson Blu Hotel. 

 

Among the recipients were; Colonel Daka, a Commanding Officer at Zambia National Service Camp in Kitwe. He is one of the first military officers to openly discuss his HIV status and currently  promotes counselling and testing among his troops.

Sister Mariola Mierzejewska, sister-in-charge of Kasisi Children's Home. She and her staff are currently providing care and support to 250 orphans and vulnerable children, 60 of whom are living with HIV.

His Royal Highness Chief Eshiloni Mumena from North-Western province, a powerful advocate of Voluntary MaleMedical Circumcision (VMMC).  In 2011 and at age 47, he underwent circumcision. Since his procedure, he now actively promotes the practice through out Zambia and in other Southern African countries.

Renowned doctor, Mannasseh Phiri, one of Zambia's leading and outspoken HIV andAIDS activists. Apart from being a columnist and hosting  a radio show which tackles the complexities surrounding the disease, he addresses issues head on related to homosexuality, sex workers and gender based violence.

Each champion was featured in a PEPFAR Zambia 2014 Calendar in addition to receiving a $1, 000 to donate to a local organization or community group of their choice.

This year, to nominate your PEPFAR Zambia Champion, submit a written explanation of how the nominee is working towards equal and universal access to HIV services by email to PEPFARZambia@state.gov or by mail to PEPFAR Coordination Office, RE: PEPFAR Hero Award, American Embassy, Ibex Hill, P.O. Box 31617, Lusaka, Zambia.

Include specific information about how your champion is promoting equal access to quality HIV services for all Zambians including their work, success, and relevant background information. Please also include 2-3 high quality photos that demonstrate the impact they are making.

The deadline is September 19, 2014.

Champions will receive a cash prize for the community-based organization of their choice, will be featured in a PEPFAR Champions 2015 calendar, and will be honored at an event in Lusaka around World AIDS Day, December 1, 2014. PYM

Zambian health minister outlines plans for Ebola

By Meluse Kapatamoyo

 

Zambia’s government has heightened it’s alert on Ebola which is spreading fast in West Africa’s, Guinea, Liberia, Sierra-Leone and Nigeria. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Ebola, a virus transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission, a "Public Health Emergency of International Proportions".

According to a Health Advisory issued by  Minister of Health, Dr Joseph Kasonde, until further notice, the country is to ensure the following measures;

1. All Zambians travelling from the Ebola affected areas will be thoroughly screened and quarantined if the risk is eminent upon return until further notice.

2. All delegates from any of the countries affected by Ebola Virus disease are restricted from entering Zambia until further notice.

3. All International events that may involve delegates from the affected countries are postponed, cancelled or such delegates excluded. The Ministry is advising against holding of all international events that lead to mass gatherings until

further notice. This is because these mass gatherings escalates the spread of the

disease and makes control difficult.

4. Zambians and residents intending to travel to the Ebola affected countries on duty or business are restricted to undertake such travels.

For further information or report any suspected cases, contact any of the following numbers:

+26096684062, +26097742161, +26096277859, +260955411988 or email : info@moh .gov. zm  PYM

Food Secure, but no nutritional security!

By Meluse Kapatamoyo

The Zambia Civil Society Scaling-Up Nutrition (CSO-SUN) has called on government to reform existing agricultural plans to increase their impact on nutrition by encouraging diversity in food production, aimed at improving the nutritional outcome of the population through maximizing the positive impact of food and agricultural systems on nutrition.

CSO-SUN country coordinator, William Chilufya said the high levels of malnutrition in Zambia create an urgent call to ensure that investment in agriculture becomes a core part of the solution and preventive strategy by ensuring food is affordable and diverse.

He said that although Zambia has over the past years achieved food security with its staple cereal, achieving food and nutrition security as recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and other international agencies, still remains a challenge to the government.

“A number of factors have resulted in a serious deterioration of food and nutritional security in recent years. In rural areas food insecurity is due to low productivity, limited access to agricultural services and resources, and over-emphasized production of hybrid maize at the expense of traditional crops. The excessive focus on incentives to produce Maize dissuades farmers from diversifying their cropping patterns. The lack of investment in the promotion of other sectors other than maize has resulted in limited crop diversification,” added Chilufya.   

Among other things, the Zambian government has committed itself to reducing chronic undernutrition by 50 percent in the next 10 years, resolve the human resource and financial gaps in the 5 key line Ministries which includes Agriculture and Livestock. 

Further, government will aim to increase nutrition budget lines by at least 20 percent annually for the next 10 years and also progressively encourage the involvement of the private sector to enable access to affordable and appropriate nutritious foods to mothers, children and other vulnerable groups.

“When we think of food production, ecosystem, health and human wellbeing, one crucial element is often not mentioned: nutrition. Nutrition is everyone’s business and no one’s responsibility, as the saying goes. But we know that one of the world’s greatest challenges is to secure adequate food that is healthy, safe and of high quality for all, and to do so in an environmentally sustainable manner,” said Chilufya.

Malnutrition is one of the greatest challenges facing Zambia today. Nearly one in every two children is stunted or small for their age. The country has one of the highest rates of stunting in children under five years old in the world. At 45.8 percent, higher than the 42 percent average rate for Africa, Zambia’s rate of child stunting remains higher than the vast majority of its neighbouring countries. PYM

EMOC training; a must for health practioners

By Meluse Kapatamoyo

 

Midwives play a pivotal role in reducing maternal and child deaths. Unfortunately, inadequate numbers of these essential health workers remains a challenge in most health institutions around the country especially those in rural areas.

However, some health centres like the Kalabo District Hospital located 70 kilometers from Mongu in Western Province are one of the few institutions lucky enough to have midwives to help with deliveries.





Since graduating in 2012, 27-year-old Anifield Siandabile has delivered more than 200 women, helping fill the gap of midwives at the hospital.

 

Anifield Siandabile

In addition to training in nursing, in 2012, Anifield attended a three week course offered by UNFPA in Emergency Obstetrics and Neonatal Care (EMOC), a training he says has tremendously improved his trade and helped save the lives of pregnant women and their babies.

The training covers the child, mother and all the complications a woman may face when she is pregnant, during labour and six weeks after delivery, a time when complications are most common.

"On an individual level, compared to the knowledge I had before and after the training, I am on another level. It has helped me handle a lot of complicated cases that I would otherwise wait for the doctor to attend to, putting the life of the woman and her child in danger in situations when the doctor was unavailable. For example, in cases of prolonged labour, I am able to do various procedures without calling for a doctor,” explains Anifield.

Almost two years down the line, Anifield recommends that the training should not only be restricted to midwives but be extended to all nurses and health care providers as they too encounter emergency situations involving pregnant women.

“If the EMOC training is extended, I believe the country will see a further decrease in women dying from child birth because all health workers will be equipped and procedures to stop complications such as bleeding will easily be done.”

He said due to various interventions such as the introduction of a Health Adversity Committee, which involves traditional leaders in issues pertaining to maternal health and the presence of an ambulance donated by UNFPA, Kalabo district hospital had recorded an increase in women delivering at the institution.
 

According to the 2013 Kalabo District Medical Office Report on Communication for Development (C4D), although Kalabo district faces a challenge of low coverage’s when it comes to some Maternal and Child Health Indicators, institutional deliveries increased from 52 percent in 2012 to 64 percent in 2013.

"With the health adversity team in place, the message is getting to women that when they fall sick, they should rush to the rural health centre and if the nurse available is unable to handle to the problem, the hospital then sends an ambulance is sent to bring the patient to the hospital. But I still emphasise that all health workers be trained in EMOC because sometimes the hospital has challenges with fuel, “said Anifield. PYM

"Fired nurses migrate"

 

 

By Meluse Kapatamoyo

 

Zambia : More than 500 EXPERIENCED nurses fired and just like that, we have moved on. They pleaded for forgiveness and our leaders ignored.

Well it seems, Zambia's firing of nurses is a gain to neighbouring countries as a huge exodus is underway. Now they are migrating to neighbouring countries in large numbers and with their experience it won't be long before they all leave. And in the meantime our health institutions are battling with inexperienced staff. We all know the big guns don't go to public hospitals so it was up to ordinary Zambians to demand that the nurses be reinstated and we didn't.

 

At the time, sentiments were that they deserved it. If you have been to the hospital lately especially those who have been hospitalised or have had a relative in hospital, you now know that we are in a crisis. Who is paying now? PYM

HIV pioneers honoured

By Meluse Kapatamoyo

The year 2013 ended on a celebratory note for 12 lucky individuals who were honoured as PEPFAR (President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief) Zambia Champions for their work in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

The champions were honoured at an official award ceremony held at the Radisson Blu Hotel on December 13, 2013.

In August, the organization launched a contest calling for nominations of Champions from across the country to honour and recognize for their passion and tireless dedication to their communities.

PEPFAR Country Coordinator, Kristie Mikus, had this to say about the recipients, " Each champion speaks out for those who need a voice, cares, for those who cannot care for themselves, and fights against stigma and discrimination  of people living with HIV."

U.S Embassy's Charge' d' Affaires, David Young commended the champions for embodying the spirit of Nelson Mandela in their inspirational leadership, and thanked them for their passion and shared vision for an AIDS-free generation in Zambia."

Each champion was featured in a PEPFAR Zambia 2014 Calendar in addition to receiving a $1, 000 to donate to a local organization or community group of their choice.



PEPFAR Zambia 2013 Champions

Among those honoured was Sister Mariola Mierzejewska, sister-in-charge of Kasisi Children's Home. She and her staff are currently providing care and support to 250 orphans and vulnerable children, 60 of whom are living with HIV.
Anita Muchanga was honoured posthumously. She died at age 16, four years after discovering she was HIV.  Rather than giving up, she continued to attend school and formed  "the children's corner" where she talked openly with peers about her HIV status and provided counseling to children facing stigma, and helped them speak out. Her mother, Monica Muchanga received the award.

Other recipients on the list included; Henry Siwo and Colonel Emmanuel Daka. Every fortnight, people from kilometers(AFAR) congregate at Tithandizani ("We Help Each Other") Health Center to receive both ARVs and education about living with HIV and AIDS, led by Siwo.

Colonel Daka is Commanding Officer at Zambia National Service Camp in Kitwe. He was one of the first military officers to openly discuss his HIV status and currently  promotes counseling and testing among his troops, taking personal responsibility for mentoring those who are HIV positive.

The PEPFAR Award also went to Eunice Chikoye, a widow, who tested positive to HIV after her husband's death in 2002. A farmer, who also sells vegetables at the market to raise money for her children's school fees, after her work, Eunice walks to the clinic and reports for duty as an HIV counselor.  She is a trained facilitator for HIV groups and serves as a counterpart to a U.S Peace Corps Volunteer in her community.

Joining her was Alex Makina, also living positively. In just two years of discovering his status, he formed 20 support groups in Mwinilunga, leading to a significant reduction in stigma against those living with HIV in the area. After moving to Mufumbwe, Alex led the formation of 45 support groups in the district. He supports group members to access ARVS, and promotes services for Voluntary Male Medical Circumcision, condom distribution, and male involvement in prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

Equally deserving of the award was Deacon Revious Chisha, who established a voluntary and testing center in Mongu. Since then, more than 8000 people have been tested for HIV and 300 orphans have received support.  The deacon formed a support group for positive living with HIV, linked the Voluntary Counseling and Treatment (VCT) center with rural health centers, started a school to train Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC's)s in tailoring, computers and carpentry and income - generating activities.

Also honored was Minerva Phiri, founder and head of Bwafwano Care Providers. For 10 years, she has helped provide food for undernourished children, nutrition education for widows and trainings on other important topics such as human rights and disputes over land. She runs workshops on HIV and AIDS and drug abuse, encourages women to get tested for HIV and has helped to protect young girls from sexual exploitation.


Chief Mumena shakes hands with Prof Nkandu Luo

Clad in traditional regalia, His Royal Highness Chief Eshiloni Mumena from North-Western province, a powerful advocate of Voluntary Male Medical Circumcision (VMMC) was also handed the PEPFAR Championship award. In 2011 and at age 47, he underwent circumcision, after hearing about VMMC from his 18 year old son. Since his procedure, he now actively promotes the practice through out Zambia and in other Southern African countries.

Angela Malik has set up three community-based organizations in the Ng'ombe compound in the capital, Lusaka and is also co-founder of Ng'ombe Home-Based care where she remains an active caregiver. Angela started the Kondwa ("Be Happy") Day Care Center by converting her own property, a former bar run by her late husband, into a place where orphaned children could get meals and give their guardians rest. The Pakachele Community School is a primary school where children go after they "graduate" from the Kondwa Day Care Center and the Seko (Laughter) House is a home for orphaned girls providing shelter, food, education, psychosocial care, and spiritual guidance.

Paul was orphaned at 18 and formed the PAZESA Horticultural Community to assist others who find themselves in similar circumstances, working 20 years to assist OVCs and their households. Paul and PAZESA have assisted nearly 6, 000 individuals through linking support groups to a global network for people living positively.

The list would have been incomplete without renowned doctor, Mannasseh Phiri, one of Zambia's leading and outspoken HIV and AIDS activists. Apart from being a columnist and hosting  a radio show which tackles the complexities surrounding the disease, he addresses issues head on related to homosexuality, sex workers, gender-based violence, people living with HIV and adopting a rights-based approach in advocating for HIV services for all. PYM

Address youth myths on Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision

By Meluse Kapatamoyo

Nkonde speaking at the Third National HIV Prevention Convention.
Pic by Unicef Zambia.
 

In Zambia, it is estimated that every three hours, a young person gets infected with HIV. To counter this, the country has committed itself to reducing the rate of new infections by 50 percent by 2015, using a combination of prevention strategies such as male circumcision.  

However, according to 18 year old Solomon Nkonde “adolescents have the lowest levels of male circumcision amongst all the age groups in Zambia. There are a lot of reasons as to why our fellow brothers do not want to get circumcised, among them; fear of severe pain, fear of losing sensitivity and lack of information on the benefits and how the circumcision process is performed.”

Nkonde who represented voices of the young people at the just ended Third National HIV Prevention Convention, added that “while other young people felt it was not part of their culture, others wanted to know what was done with their prepuce after it got removed. In addition, there were also misconceptions on the motives of the sensitisers and the donors supporting male circumcision.”

To rebattle these myths, the youths shared various interventions that would help scale-up male circumcision among the youth.

“Parents should be sensitised on the importance of male circumcision so that they can take their children for circumcision as early as birth and massive sensitisation should be done in both rural and urban areas with young people as role models too,” urged Nkonde.

In addition to creating more centres for male circumcision in rural areas, the youths called on government to train more male doctors to conduct operations as most boys were shy to be cut by females.

UNICEF in collaboration with the Zambian government brought together 50 adolescents from 10 provinces for a Pre-HIV Prevention Convention workshop where they shared issues on HIV.

Nkonde also spoke on behalf of more than 15, 000 young U-Reporters aged between 10-24 years who participated in real-time via SMS from all the 10 provinces.

U-ReportZambia is an innovative SMS platform designed by the National AIDS Council and UNICEF to accelerate HIV response for adolescents and young people towards an HIV-free generation in Zambia.

It provides to adolescents and young people an opportunity to access comprehensive information on HIV and any other sexually transmitted infections by SMS. PYM

 

Nominate your PEPFAR Zambia hero

By Meluse Kapatamoyo

 

The United States Presidents Emergency  Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) this year celebrates 10 years of tackling HIV in Zambia by celebrating heroes in the fight against the disease.

According to a statement from PEPFAR's Development Outreach and Communications Specialist, Kathryn Koonce, heroes do not need to be associated with PEPFAR-Funded programs.

"We would like to honour those who made small and large contributions to creating an AIDS-free generation in Zambia. Tell us about someone who cares tirelessly for orphans, or someone who endured stigma and discrimination to encourage others to test for HIV and obtain anti-retroviral treatment (ART), or someone who has not stopped leading by example in Zambia’s fight against HIV for the past 10 years.  Or someone who has done something else to end this scourge, " she explained.

 

PEPFAR will then select 12 heroes to honor by giving a cash prize to the community that supports each winner such as a chiefdom, an orphanage or a clinic.  In addition, three heroes will be selected to travel to Lusaka for a World AIDS Day event in December 2013.

 

To nominate your PEPFAR Zambia Hero, submit a written explanation of why the nominee is your hero.  The deadline is October 15, 2013. 

 

Send your nomination by email to PEPFARZambia@state.gov or by mail to PEPFAR Coordination Office, RE: PEPFAR Hero Award, American Embassy, Ibex Hill, P.O. Box 31617, Lusaka, Zambia.  Include specific information about your hero’s work, success, and relevant background information.  Please also include a photo of your PEPFAR Zambia Hero and photos that demonstrate the impact your nominee has made in the fight against HIV in Zambia.

 

For your inspiration, PEPFAR Zambia Country Coordinator Kristie Mikus gave the following as examples of heroes the organisation is looking.

"Elizabeth has been living with HIV for 20 years. Through the PEPFAR-supported organization Needs Care, she visits people’s homes in the N’gombe Compound in Lusaka to identify their needs and then links them to available resources.

 

Recently Elizabeth visited the home of an extremely ill woman.  The woman’s legs were severely swollen and covered with sores.  She was tested for HIV, but she denied the results.  With compassion, Elizabeth told the woman about her own experience living with HIV.  By the end of the visit, the woman agreed to test for HIV again.  The result of the HIV test was positive, but this time the woman accepted the results.  Today she is receiving counseling and HIV treatment, thanks to Elizabeth’s care and support.

 

Glenda was pregnant and walked five kilometers to the local clinic in Nalube to receive prenatal services. During her first visit, she tested positive for HIV.  Glenda was referred to an ART clinic 20KM from her home, but she could not afford to travel there.

 

Glenda enrolled in a PEPFAR-funded mobile program closer to her home.  There, she received HIV treatment during her pregnancy to prevent transmission of the virus to her baby.  Thanks to ART, Glenda gave birth to a healthy boy.  Glenda’s son continued treatment for six weeks after his birth and was breastfed until he was 18 months old, never contracting the HIV virus along the way." PYM

Wear it Pink for Cancer

By Meluse Kapatamoyo

You have got to love my line of work - meeting with amazing people, everyday. Each day, I am assured of talking to a stranger. Some I never get to see again, others become friends, mentors, comforters and heroes.

 

ZCS Executive Director Udie Soko

Udie Soko, is one of those strangers that has now become my hero. She is a Hodgkin’s Lymphoma cancer survivor and Zambian Cancer Society (ZCS) Executive Director. I met Udie through a friend and colleague, Christine Ngwisha, who invited me to a meeting that was being hosted by ZCS.

 

As I listened to Udie share her experience with cancer that day, my mind drifted to Susan Musukuma and Maureen Lewanika, two very strong women that lost their lives to Cervical and Breast cancer respectively. So, I have some idea of the damage the disease causes when it manifests in the body, regardless of what type of cancer it is. 

 

For a moment I was drowning in sadness, but when I looked at Udie, she spoke with so much enthusiasm about her life now; her struggles; and her triumphs with Hodgkin’s lymphoma which surfaced 24 years ago. She got my attention even more when she spoke about the work that ZCS is involved in. I knew right then that this was not a woman who should be pitied but celebrated. Since then I have been a fan of Udie and I have made it my mission to follow up on ZCS activities.

Despite the fact that Udie has survived cancer, she is my hero amidst her health struggles she is determined to ensure that no other person goes through what she has and that if unfortunately they do, she is right there to give moral and financial support through ZCS.

On September 7, 2013, the Zambian Cancer Society organised 'Cancer Relay for Life' which I and my family proudly attended at Olympic Youth Development Centre (OYDC). Being in the midst of so many people who had lost their loved ones to different forms of cancer as well as meeting survivors renewed my determination to contribute to the causes being championed by ZCS.

The great causes include the distribution of pamphlets and talks on different forms of cancer with emphasis on Cervical, Breast and Children’s cancers; Making regular donations to the Children’s Cancer ward at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH).

This October, ZCS will be holding various awareness activities starting with the Pink Golf tournament on Sunday October 6, 2013 to be graced by Zambia’s first lady, Dr Christine Kaseba.

But if you are not a fan of golf like me, then you too will be particularly excited with the activities that will take place at Mandahill on Saturdays of 19 and 26 October. According to ZCS, in support of their activities, the mall will literally be painted pink.

October 19 is dubbed ‘Cancer Awareness Day.’ Manda Hill Shopping Mall has already printed brochures which will be distributed to the public by ZCS members. In addition, booths will be set up where those interested can chat with experts and survivors to better understand the importance of early detection and available options. The focus will be on Breast, Cervical and Children’s Cancers.

There are also various prizes to be won, all donated by Mandahill Mall tenants. Large boxes will be stationed throughout the mall for donations of books, toys, sweets and clothes for the Children’s Cancer Ward at UTH.

ZCS, through a medical officer, will provide Mandahill female tenants with a talk on breast and cervical cancer at the Mr Price Store.

On October 26, which is ‘Wear it Pink’ Cancer fundraising and Awareness Day at the mall, all Mandahill fashion stores will dress their windows in pink. On that day, members of the public are encouraged to wear pink as they go to the mall. 

In honour of those that have survived cancer like Udie, those that lost their battle to cancer, those still fighting, and those just finding out they have the disease, let us show our support and let us make these events a success.

Make sure you bring your families as there will be lots of fun things to do - from getting temporary tattoos to having your hair sprayed pink in support of cancer awareness.  And to spice it all up, the lively Barefeet Theatre group will offer entertainment. PYM.