Brighter Days Ahead for Children Living with HIV in NW Region
The Clinical and Communities Together Closing the Pediatric HIV gap in Cameroon dubbed, Children Momentum Project has been launched in the presence of the Northwest Regional Technical Group (RTG) Coordinator amongst other personalities. The launching took place on December 17, 2012 at the hall of the North West Regional Fund for Health Promotion in Bamenda.
Presiding, the RTG Coordinator, Dr. Tayong Gladys expressed delight in welcoming and launching such an innovative in her region. Dr. Tayong noted that this project is timely as it comes at a time when the Northwest region is experiencing low retention, low Viral Load suppression rates and low survival amongst children aged 5 to 15 living with HIV. This most-at-risk age bracket is the key targeted population of the project. Hence, she not only applauded the initiative, but promised her unflinching support in making sure the project attains its goals.
“We will work together not only to meet the funder’s expectations, but also, to go beyond to ensure our children living with HIV are healthy” Dr. Tayong Gladys assured.
To buttress the points already made, the Director of Health Services, Prof. Tih Pius Muffih called on every team member to put in their best so that children living with HIV are diagnosed, treated and witnessed a viral suppression, all in a healthy environment. He added that the Children Momentum Project is going a long way to galvanize the region towards meeting the 95:95:95 global HIV targets.
Presenting the highlights of the project, the Manager, Mrs. Awa Fanny disclosed that the project will run for 3 years in 16 health facilities with its primary beneficiary being children living with HIV, within the age groups of 5 to 14 years. Secondary beneficiaries include children 0-4, adolescent girls and boys 15-19; young women living with HIV and health providers working with them.
The launching ended with staff taking a commitment to put in their utmost best in ensuring that no child living with HIV will be left behind in their communities.
The Clinical and Communities Together Closing the Pediatric HIV Gap in Cameroon is implemented by the CBC Health Services in partnership with the Pediatric-Adolescent Treatment Africa (PATA) with finds from ViiV Healthcare.