Integrating Family Planning, HIV bearing fruits

Integrating of planning with HIV/AIDS awareness has yielded positive results since the programme began in 2008, Dr. Anicet Nzabonimpa, an official in Ministry of Health in charge of HIV/AIDS and Family Planning integration said Thursday. He explained that it was an approved approach to fight the virus while controlling population growth. “We decided that HIV/AIDS counselling, Family Planning and vaccination, be done in one day, same provider and in the same room to reduce patient flow and attain effectiveness,” revealed. Nzabonimpa added that a Demographic Health Survey (DHS) carried out between 2007 and 2008 by the National AIDS Control Commission (CNLS) and Family Health International, indicated that 74% of HIV infected expectant mothers had unwanted pregnancies. In what he called double protection, Nzabanimpa said that the integration prevents unwanted pregnancies and simultaneously prevent HIV/AIDS infections. The implementation of the programme has been carried out through training medical staff and local government officials at the grassroots (District & Sector level) on both Family Planning and HIV/AIDS guidelines. Ends