Sr Thi Hien Nguyen

Situation of HIV in Asia and Pacific and Catholic Church engagement

Transcript

1. Presented by Sr. Anna Hien Nguyen, F.M.I., M.D. The Congregation of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate Catholic HIV and AIDS Network (CHAN) Melbourne, Australia
2. * *Kim Long Charity Clinic – Introduction *Establishment of the clinic *Our healthcare mission *Our charitable work *HIV/AIDS program: *Status and trends of HIV/AIDS in Vietnam/Hue *Past and present activities of the project *Achievements and challenges
3. *Established in 1992 *A private Charity Clinic: - Providing free healthcare services - HIV/AIDS program - Charitable work *Kim Long Charity Clinic Sr. Leontine delivers call numbers to the patients. In the beginning, the waiting area was in the hallway and courtyard of the convent.
4. *Internal Medicine *Pediatrics *Gynecology *Dental Care *Eyes, nose, and throat (ENT) *X-rays and Ultrasound *Blood tests *Mobile clinic *Traditional Vietnamese Medicine
5. Charitable work Care for the elderly and persons living alone Financial support for heart surgery Environmental development: clean water, shelter, finding employment…
6. HIV/AIDS PROGRAM Interreligious dialogue and interfaith cooperation
7. Number of new HIV infection/AIDS/ and Death Cumulative HIV/AIDS and death by HIV/AIDS (as of March 31,2014) HIV AIDS Death HIV AIDS Death Current HIV statistic/100,000 people 2.012 928 300 218.204 67.259 69.287 248 Cases of HIV/AIDS in Vietnam
8. HIV/AIDS situation of Hue Archdiocese by end of November 2013 Location Number of PLWHIV Number of patients in the AIDS stage Cumulative deaths related to HIV/AIDS Hue 325 151 315 Quang Tri 341 86 67
9. *Started in May 1996 with a National Workshop to raise awareness on HIV/AIDS. The workshop was held in Thien Thien Hue province. There were 20 participants from different religious backgrounds. Joint Religious HIV Organization The first project management board in 2000
10. * 2005 – 2010 Projects: “Scaling up the faith-based response to HIV/AIDS” supported by USAID through NAV 1996 – 2005: with support from Nordic Assistance to Vietnam (NAV), we - developed community based care/counseling for PLWHA, - raised awareness on HIV/AIDS through outreach education for clergy and people in local communities. 2010 – now Projects: “Response of Caritas Hue to HIV/ AIDS Pandemic in Vietnam” supported by Misereor
11. * Comprehensive Care: Care for children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. Palliative care in hospitals and communities.
12. Home visiting Bereavement support * Comprehensive Care:
13. Competitions in Catechism classes on HIV/AIDS related issues Implement HIV/AIDS awareness activities for youth in the parishes …to reduce stigma and discrimination
14. Capacity Building
15. Strengthening the Human Resources, Structure of Organization and Spirituality Monthly Meeting and Mass at the clinic
16. Achievements 1. Trust from PLHIV. They feel safer disclosing their status and accessing medical treatment. 2. A great contribution to reducing stigma and discrimination: PLHIV are no longer isolated from families and communities. 3. Establishment of a self-help group: “Belief Club” We help members lead more productive lives and initiate discussions of income generating activities. 4. An improvement in the quality of work by the implementation groups: • Developed comprehensive approach with emphasis on mental and spiritual care • Dedicated volunteers
17. Challenges 1. Role of the local clergy: Participation of the local clergy is limited. There is only small group of volunteers and sisters at the clinic involved in the program. 2. Economic difficulties. Most of PLHIV depend on our support. Job creation for PLHIV is not easy due to discrimination. 3. Sustainability - Fundraising activities and activities to increase self- funding. Because of the economic underdevelopment of the two provinces, local fundraising is a big challenge.