World AIDS Day: Prevention, screening and support in Burkina Faso

Emmaus organisation SEMUS is one of the Movement’s specialists in the fight against AIDS.
“When we realised how excluded people with HIV were, we decided to launch a programme – as an Emmaus organisation, we have a duty to reach out to the most excluded groups”, explained Mr. Maurice, who is in charge of managing the project within the organisation.

“When we started, a great many people had no idea how this virus was transmitted and crazy rumours were flying around, making those with the illness feel extremely excluded and desperate. Nowadays, people understand that it is possible to live with HIV. That is a huge victory for us.

We are currently focusing on three areas – screening, support and care. In practical terms, whenever we have the resources, we launch screening campaigns. To mark 1st December, I am on the road in a vehicle that was provided to us by an Emmaus community. We aim to screen 1,500 people in 10 days. And we’ll do it!

We are also providing care to 350 patients who are receiving antiretroviral treatment and being monitored by a doctor and a nurse. Five hundred other patients are on our active list. They come to our health centre to seek advice, meet other people with HIV and ask questions. It is important to reinforce these links between patients. We have also trained 10 male and 10 female patients, who are now acting as “patient leaders” – they conduct home visits to people who have just been diagnosed with the virus in order to give them hope, explain that it is possible to live with HIV, advise them on how to manage their lives and support them. They ensure a real chain of solidarity.”

151130 animateurs endogenes Patient leaders being given means of transportation

151130 campagne depistage Sida A 2015 screening campaign with Canadian volunteers