Two years ago, 28 year-old Jose Cossa, thought his life was over. He was tired and afraid, his girlfriend had left him and he lost his job because he was too sick to get up to go to work. He had contracted tuberculosis as a secondary infection to what was later to be determined to be HIV/AIDS.
“When I found out it was HIV that was making me sick, I was scared and thought it was the end of my life”. That was when Jose was referred to the Vilanculos Rural Hospital.
In Mozambique, small costal villages, such as Vilanculos are often served by only one clinic or hospital. In Vilanculos, the Rural Hospital serves the largest district with a population of over 135,700. HIV/AIDS levels in this area have reached 12.5%. Many here carry HIV without knowing the warning signs, and it is only those who become sick enough that they end up at the hospital that are then referred for AIDS testing. When the test results come back positive, stigma, and misinformation leaves most feeling hopeless and alone.
But a new healthcare support programme created by CARE International is bringing hope back to this community. The programme entitled Mais-Vida, meaning More Life in Portuguese, includes interventions in Vilanculos and three other districts in the area. CARE with funding from the CDC (Centre for Disease Control), offers support the local healthcare system by training and educating government healthcare workers for early recognition of the symptoms of AIDS and in the various precautionary measures available
The programme also includes testing and dispersing anti-retroviral medicines and includes a counselling component. CARE trained staff conduct individualised education/information counselling sessions as well as staffs mobile units to reach those who cannot make it to the hospital themselves.
CARE’s project director Doctor Giwa says that the programme has reached many patients like Jose. “Many of our patients tell us that they have changed the way they live due to the counselling that they receive here and the better understanding they now have of HIV.”
Jose is no exception. After almost two years in the programme he has learned that life is not over because of his HIV. “I am so grateful for the medicine and the care that I get here at the hospital,” Jose says “I feel better and I can look forward to a full life”.
He comes regularly to the hospital where he receives counselling on how to manage his HIV and how to take the medicine he is given. Thanks to the programme funding, all of these services are offered at no charge and the recipients couldn’t be more thankful.
Jose makes it a point to explain that now he is able to help his brother who runs a tourist shop. With the help of CARE’s HIV/AIDS interventions in Vilanculos, Jose has restored hope for his future. “One day I hope I will have my own shop like my brother and be able to save my own money.”