100 medics train in HIV/Aids care

A total of 100 medical personnel, including doctors and nurses, yesterday completed a three-month course in HIV treatment and care. The e-learning course was conducted by the University of Amsterdam, in collaboration with the Netherlands-based Health (e) Foundation and the National University of Rwanda. It comprised a holistic package of HIV modules including epidemiology, counselling, preventing mother-to-child transmission, paediatrics, initiation of anti-retrovirals, mental health and HIV, and laboratory testing, among others. The Minister of State for Public Health and Primary Healthcare, Dr Anita Asiimwe, said remarkable progress had been made in HIV care and treatment in the country, noting that years ago, nurses were not allowed to prescribe ARVs for HIV-positive persons but now many of them have been equipped with skills and knowledge and can prescribe the medication. This translates into scaling up HIV care and treatment in the country, she said.ChallengesOne of the challenges in HIV care and treatment is that few children receive HIV treatment compared to adults, Dr Asiimwe said. “We are still not doing our best when it comes to children as we receive many adults but few children. Parents should bring their HIV-positive children for treatment,” she said. Dr Asiimwe also called for the inclusion of HIV care and treatment modules in the university course units. Fransje Van der Waals, the director for Health (e) Foundation, said the course has given the Rwandan medics knowledge on HIV and self confidence in treating and caring for patients. She said it was the first course organised in the country in the collaboration with the National University of Rwanda and the Centre of Biomedical Research. Fransje said although they trained 100 medics, there are many others who would love to undertake the course, adding that her organisation would return to train more.“Rwanda has made enormous progress in HIV care and treatment .The newest regimens are available and medics are equipped with knowledge to handle HIV-positive people. They also learn about tender loving care, which is what HIV-positives need,” she said. Alex Tumusime, a trainee nurse, said he has identified a range of approaches to improve care and treatment for HIV-positive persons.