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| Thanks for Your Efforts to Create the Wonders of Life― Lucheng PLHA Self Help Group, Chengwu County, Shandong Province sent silk banners to thank for the care provided |
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In the morning of August 5, 2009, Lucheng PLHA Self-l Help Group, headed by Zhu Shouyin, a doctor at the Shalou Village Clinic, Tiangong Town, sent two ilk banners to the Chengwu CDC and Chengwu People's Government. The reason for sending the silk banner should back to the launch of ART program in 2003.
Since July 2003, Chengwu began to provide ART to AIDS patients. With the leadership of the CPC Committee and the People's Government at county level, an ART management system composed of "Chengwu ART Expert Panel", "ART Group" and "Technical Support Group" was established, with clear roles/responsibilities defined. The Chengwu County Protocol for ART Program (Trial) and the Measures for the Implementation of PLHA Management and Follow-up were strictly followed. Substantial efforts were made in patient management and follow-up, information reporting, CD4 testing, selection of regimens, adherence education, OIs treatment and prevention, medication supervision, and distribution and management of medicines, etc.
The PLHA were scattered in 46 natural villages and 39 administrative villages of 11 townships/towns and a developing zone. The majority of them and their families are afraid of being exposed and discriminated by neighbors and villagers, and therefore they would not visit the township/village health clinics for health seeking services. . To respond to this situation, Chengwu ART Expert Panel conducted mentoring diagnosis and consultation regularly in villages or households, timely managed the OIs identified and eased the economic burden of PLHA families.
To enhance the adherence,, Chengwu formulated the Supervision Protocol for the Medication of PLHA. In order to reduce discrimination and convenient medication supervision, family members of patients were involved as medication supervisors, who provided one-on-one supervision, timely reminded patients to take medicine, and ensured full dose. taken by patients at The medication supervision cards were filled in as required, and were submitted to HIV/AIDS Unit of Chengwu CDC. To stimulate the enthusiasm of medication supervisors and enhance their sense of responsibility, monthly allowance was granted to them; AIDS experts provided training to the PLHA, volunteers and family members, covering basic knowledge on HIV/AIDS, the importance of adherence, the management of side effects and toxicity of ARVs, and home-based care, etc. On a monthly basis,, The program office conducted monitoring of the performance of medication supervisors and the medication of patients ,in order to ensure adequate medical adherence.. In order to promote adherence, the CDC selected five patients who survived due to received ART to conduct peer education among other patients and help to enhance their confidence in medication.
In the first several weeks of ARVs taken, some patients may experience side effects,, such as rash, nausea, vomiting, stomach discomfort, diarrhea, anemia, emotional abnormalities, which reduced their confidence in adherence to medication. To address these issues, the health workers made great efforts. For instance, they visited the homes of patients, persuaded them to ARVs recommended, , and would not leave until the patients took medicine. As a result of their painstaking efforts, all patients eligible for ART in the county have been received ART and monitored through local ART system. Based on standardized ART, the patients' immunity and life quality was dramatically improved, along with increased their confidence in fighting against the disease.
Currently, all patients adhered to their regimens have exhibited remarkable improvement in clinical conditions, with increased food intake, weight and resistance and improved physical strengths and mental conditions. Particularly, Patients taken ARVs at an early stage showed remarkable treatment outcomes. Two patients who were almost to be on the verge of death have now recovered, , and be able to visit the CDC by bicycle to take medicine.
Chengwu government earnestly implemented the national policy of "Four Frees and One Care", provided PLHA and their families with care and support, help them to gain confidence in life, and overcame difficulties and restored normal life.
The government has exempted the PLHA of the agricultural tax, the duty to provide volunteer work, and their children's schooling fees during the compulsory education phase. All children of PLHA received compulsory education were provided with subsidies, i.e. RMB 253 per junior high school student per semester, and RMB 52 per primary school student per semester; Since 2005, around 180 students have received a total subsidy of RMB 75,000 to support their schooling.
The civil affairs department provided special support to PLHA families and orphans,, i.e. monthly subsidy of RMB 50 to support their basic life. By the end of 2008, a total of RMB 132,000 had been delivered. .
The agricultural department provided PLHA with chemical fertilizer, seeds and other agricultural production materials, supported the PLHA to engage in self-help income generation, , and provided training on plant and animal cultivation.
Tiangongmiao Township’s Government offered a sack of flour and RMB 20 to each PLHA for the Spring Festival and RMB 50 to each PLHA during the wheat harvest season. The 35 PLHAs in the town were provided with minimum living allowance, together with transportation "Green Card" to enable them to travel freely throughout the county.
With the care and support of the government, the PLHAs are now in a stable life, and proactively cooperating with the treatment. The quality of their lives is constantly improving, and their mental pressures are decreasing, along with increasing confidence in their life. They do appreciated l the care and support provided by the society, and cherish their life.
To express their thanks, they sent silk banners with "Care and Concerns for the People" and "Thanks for Your Efforts to Create 奇迹Opportunity for ourLife" to Chengwu People's Government and CDC. The simple and heartfelt word and action are the best evidence of the achievement of implementing integrated HIV/AIDS control in the county.
The PLHA indicated their commitment to adhering to medication, living a positive life, and fighting against the disease.
(Mao Ying, HIV/AIDS Department of Chengwu County CDC, Shandong Province)
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