WBF POSITIVE LIFELINE

THE POSITIVE LIFELINE PROGRAMME:

After her husband was elected Governor, Her Excellency, Mrs. Saraki noticed that there was no identifiable source of care and support for people living with HIV in the state. Although there were trickles of efforts here and there, she wanted an organised forum that would give hope to the already infected, encourage their families, friends and associates to support them and cut off the source of infection by providing people with information on HIV/AIDS.

WHAT IT DOES:

• It runs a confidential counseling and support unit where clients walk into and voice their fears.
• It works with doctors at the University Teaching Hospital, Ilorin who engage in client diagnoses, prescriptions and treatment.
• It pays for laboratory tests and investigations.
• It purchases drugs.
• It ensures they undergo necessary further examinations and follow doctors’ counsel on drugs and diet.
• It provides immune boosters and anti retroviral drugs.
• It places needy clients on a monthly up- keep allowance.
• It provides financial empowerment.
• Special attention is given to infected pregnant women and all efforts are made at seeing that they give birth to non-infected children.
• It finances Caesarian Sections.
• It provides Infant formula and drugs.
• Pediatric clients are also taken on.
• Orphans and vulnerable children are given medical attention and scholarships.
• It has raised an army of peer educators in secondary and tertiary institutions in the state to curb the incidence of infections among youth.
• Regular state- wide sensitization campaigns against HIV are organised among the general populace.

As of date:

• About 400 people receive treatment and ongoing care and support from the Alaafia Kwara Positive Lifeline Programme encompassing the free provision of anti retroviral drugs, food supplements and appropriate diets for the patients.
• 45 Orphans and Vulnerable Children receive financial assistance for their education and upkeep.
• 400 peer educators have been raised in secondary schools all over the state as a means of stemming further infections. These educators are equipped with ICT materials with which they affect the lives of others in their communities.
• A crop of women leaders have also been raised all over the state to encourage women and men to steer clear of habits and conditions which predispose them to HIV.

Through this initiative, the health of positive persons in the state has improved tremendously; they have overcome the fear of stigma and discrimination, have accepted their status as a challenge and have come to accept the fact that help is attainable if they are bold to declare their status.