Unsung Heroes: PATA 2023 Summit Prioritizes Mental Health for Healthcare Front-line Workers
In a continent where the burden of HIV and AIDS remains disproportionately high, the Pediatric Adolescent Treatment Africa (PATA) 2023, Summit held in Africa, in different satellites from November 14 to 16, served as a beacon of hope and a platform for collaboration to address the ongoing challenges faced by frontline healthcare providers.
The Cameroon in-satellite was hosted by the CBC Health Services at her Resource Center in Mvan Yaoundé under the theme, " The Face of Care: Health Providers and Communities at the Frontline of Paediatric and Adolescent HIV Service Delivery in Africa ". This summit gathered healthcare workers, community partners, policymakers, and researchers to share experiences, exchange strategies, and collectively advocate for a more resilient and effective
approach to pediatric and adolescent HIV care in Africa. At the heart of the summit lay the recognition of the crucial role played by frontline healthcare providers in delivering essential services to children and adolescents living with HIV.
These dedicated individuals, often working under resource-constrained conditions, are the backbone of the HIV response in Cameroon and Africa. Yet, their unwavering commitment is often overshadowed by the challenges they face, including inadequate training, burnout, and limited access to resources. “Imagine after a strenuous day and when it is time to go home, a woman comes in late or an adolescent who came straight from school that you must attend to. We also need psychosocial support,” purported Buri Chantine, a frontline manager with HIV Free West region Cameroon.
The summit also highlighted the importance of community engagement and collaboration. Recognizing that effective HIV care extends beyond clinical settings, they emphasized the need to empower communities to play an active role in supporting children and adolescents living with HIV. Participants discussed strategies for building stronger partnerships between healthcare providers, community organizations, and peer supporters, ensuring that families and caregivers are equipped with the knowledge and resources they need to support their loved ones.
Emerging from the PATA2023 Summit is a renewed commitment to strengthening the capacity and resilience of frontline healthcare providers in Africa. By investing in their mental health, providing them with the necessary training and resources, and fostering collaboration between healthcare providers and communities, a more effective and sustainable approach can be created for pediatric and adolescent HIV care in Africa. The summit's legacy lies in its ability to empower healthcare providers to become the changemakers they are, ensuring that children and adolescents living with HIV receive the care and support they deserve, and Cameroon can meet up with the UNAIDS 2030 targets.