A Preacher on a Mission to End HIV in Zambia

August 14, 2017Whether he ’s on his bike, giving a sermon, or counseling at the clinic, Reverend Lusale is ready to talk to anyone about HIV.When the first AIDS case struck Zambia in 1984, Reverend Lusale was two years away from graduating from theology school, and did not know the impact the virus would have on Zambians ’ lives, or on his own.At its peak in Zambia in 2001, when21.5% of the adult population was infected, he realized there was something he could do to help. Reverend Lusale decided to go for training as an HIV counsellor.Today he works as part ofIntraHealth International’s team of lay counsellors in the HIV Testing and Counselling Services (HTS) Program at Ngwerere, a testing and counseling facility in a peri-urban area in rural Lusaka, Zambia. He is one of six lay counselors who counsel clients, test them for HIV and tuberculosis, and refer those that are positi ve to the nearest health center. He promotes HIV services during Sunday sermons and for farm workers onsite.The reverend spends his days on his bike, which helps him reach more people in his community. Every Wednesday, he arrives at the Rural Health Center Community Hall to provide HIV testing and counseling services, and that is where I met him.But he doesn ’t stop there. He also promotes the services during Sunday sermons and, upon request by local commercial farm owners, offers HIV counseling and testing for farm workers onsite. Partnering with community leaders like Reverend Lusale makes a...
Source: IntraHealth International - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Source Type: news