Society for Family Health has empowered 87 people living with HIV in Taraba

From Godwin Agia, Jalingo

Society for Family Health (SFH)'s Lafiyan Yara project in partnership with the Taraba Government, empowered 87 people living with HIV/AIDS through Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA) training and cash support in Bali and Sardauna Local Government Areas of the state.

The Director of SFH's Lafiyan Yara project, Aisha Dadi, disclosed this to newsmen on Thursday in Jalingo.

Dadi said the 2-day training in Bali and Gembu brought together beneficiaries carefully selected using treatment outcomes of their children in the health facilities where they access Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART).

According to her, the sum of N70,000 cash transfer was given to each of the 87 beneficiaries as a seed grant, after the team had carefully assessed the viability of the business plans they had submitted to ensure growth and sustainability.

"The two-day training, which took place in Medical and Health Care Hall, Bali, and Mambilla Baptist Hospital Hall, Gembu empowered indigent parents and caregivers of children living with HIV in the State.

"This initiative is aimed at addressing critical issues such as missed appointments for ART, medication pick-up and refills among children living with HIV due to lack of funds for transportation or nutrition challenges among children enrolled into ART, which often leads to suboptimal adherence and unsuppressed viral loads.

The training sessions, conducted by the dedicated project team and the State Ministry of Health – State AIDS and STI Control Programme (SASCP), capacitated indigent community members on the VSLA details.

"Some of the details include the methodology of VSLA, constitution formation, formation of business strategy, management of funds to improve business capital and profit, savings and collection of loans among many others," she said.

Dadi further noted that the training also provided a platform for the caregivers to be empowered with information on ART treatment and the literacy needed to support their children to adhere to the lifesaving treatment which will enhance the well-being of their children.

"The sessions were meticulously designed to empower parents and caregivers of the affected children by introducing them to the concept of VSLA and providing them with practical skills and tools," she said.

According to her, five associations were formed and registered with the Ministry of Cooperative and Poverty Alleviation of the State with the support of SFH.

She recalled that the project had earlier empowered 60 beneficiaries from Jalingo, Zing, Gassol and Wukari Local government areas of the state.