Physical Health Uganda Project #22350

Improving HIV Treatment with Nutrition Support

by Alive Medical Services

Project Report | May 20, 2016
Providing Nutrition for Health and Wellbeing

By Dr. Pasquine N. Ogunsanya | Executive Director and Founder

Food Day at AMS clinic

Alive Medical Services (AMS) has long recognised the importance of nutrition in HIV care, which is why we have continued to improve and expand our nutrition services this year. In the beginning of 2016 we attended a special HIV-nutrition training session held by the Uganda Ministry of Health. Following this training, the AMS clinical staff created a nutrition tool that is used to monitor the diet and wellbeing of every patient. This tool was rolled out in March 2016 and in the first three months we have identified over 400 patients that are suffering from malnutrition. In response, we have created a new program, called Pave Way for the Needy, which focuses on providing malnourished patients’ with special nutrition supplements and additional care.

Pave Way for the Needy provides malnourished patients with monthly follow-up appointments and extra nutrition supplements to improve their health. Adequate nutrition is key to successful HIV treatment and care – which is why are committed to providing the necessary support. Your donations have helped us begin this expansion by allowing us to purchase the food supplies and additional nutrition supplements that our patients need. While the importance of good nutrition for HIV treatment is well acknowledged, most HIV programs continue to focus exclusively on antiretroviral treatment. The uniqueness of AMS’ nutrition program and your contributions are making a measurable difference for our clients.

Our clients continue to tell us about the significant difference that AMS nutrition support makes – both in their own wellbeing and in their ability to care for their family. One grateful patient, Ann, told us that in addition to the medications that she receives, the nutrition support from AMS has helped sustain her and her family. Another client, Abdullah, provides a dramatic example of the difference that the combination of HIV treatment and nutrition support can me. He talks about when he first came to AMS three years ago – weighing only 26 kg (only 57 pounds). Now, thanks to the dedication of AMS staff and the medication and nutrition support that he receives from the clinic, Abdullah weighs 68 kg (149 pounds) and has regained his strength and health. Abdullah expresses his appreciation for these comprehensive services, saying ‘Musawo [Luganda word for health worker] your love and genuine care brought me back to life – thank you!’

Over the past three months, by focusing more attention specifically on our malnourished clients, and with the financial support of GlobalGiving donations, we have been able strengthen our nutrition program and increase the strength and wellbeing of our sickest clients. Thank you from Ann, Abdullah, and the entire AMS family for recognising the importance of good nutrition in HIV care!

Food Day at AMS clinic

Links:

AMS Nutrition Program

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Feb 22, 2016
Good Health & New Opportunities are Growing at AMS

By Dr. Pasquine N. Ogunsanya | Executive Director and Founder

Alex at the AMS clinic

Alive Medical Services (AMS) has long recognized the importance of providing access to balanced and essential nutrients as an essential component to comprehensive HIV/AIDS care. This fall UNAIDS released a document confirming this: saying that food security can help end the AIDS epidemic. Nutrition support is particularly important for people living with HIV for three reasons:

Good nutrition supports wellbeing and helps the sick regain strength
Good nutrition benefits the body’s ability to absorb medication
Good nutrition helps the body stay healthy and fight off opportunistic infections

However, despite the well-known importance of good nutrition for HIV/AIDS care, many people living with HIV are not able to access appropriate nutrition due to economic constraints. This is why AMS is committed to providing free, well-balanced nutrition support to clients. We know that providing access to healthy food is essential for our patients’ success and we believe that all people deserve access to healthy, nutritious food. As the famous Hippocrates’ quote says: “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”

With support from generous donors like you, we are expanding the AMS nutrition program in a way that provides double-pronged support to our clients! First, we are providing clients with access to more fresh produce, which benefits their health and well-being. Second, we are purchasing this fresh produce from AMS clients that participate in our Organic Gardening income generation group! This means that your support is helping to keep AMS clients healthy and self-reliant!

Alex is one of AMS’ many patients who has benefitted from comprehensive HIV care, including nutrition support. When Alex first arrived at AMS she was sick and very weak from HIV. Having already lost one child and her husband to HIV, she was struggling to financially support her three remaining children. However, through the support that she received at AMS, she began to recover physically, emotionally, and financially. Alex relied on AMS nutrition support and the P&G safe drinking water program offered by AMS to help provide for her children and stay healthy. As she regained strength she also joined AMS’ income generation groups, initially making African jewellery and handicrafts and eventually joining the organic gardening group. It is amazing to see patients like Alex regain their strength and hope – because these benefits impact their entire family! Now, Alex and her children are strong and healthy again. In fact, Alex has become such a successful gardener, that she not only grows fresh produce to feed her own family but also sells produce to others in her community. “I feel so proud that I am also now an outstanding member of the community. I get consulted on how to do gardening, school, etc. Thank you AMS for the empowerment and helping me sustain myself.”

AMS is committed to providing full support to our clients, enabling them to re-establish healthy and thriving lives. Thank you for continuing to share this vision with us and for supporting the growth of our nutrition and organic gardening program!

Alex speaking to other clients at AMS

Alex

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