Kim Long Charity Clinic

HIV/AIDS PROGRAM

Presented by Sr. Anna Hien Nguyen, F.M.I., M.D.The Congregation of the Daughters of Mary ImmaculateCatholic HIV and AIDS Network (CHAN)Melbourne, Australia - July 19, 2014

*Outline

*Kim Long Charity Clinic – Introduction*Establishment of the clinic*Our healthcare mission*Our charitable work

*HIV/AIDS program:*Status and trends of HIV/AIDS in Vietnam/Hue*Past and present activities of the project*Achievements and challenges

*Established in 1992*A private Charity Clinic:- Providing free healthcare services- HIV/AIDS program- Charitable work

*Kim Long Charity Clinic

Sr. Leontine delivers call numbers to the patients. In the beginning, the waiting area was in the hallway and courtyard of the convent.

*Internal Medicine*Pediatrics *Gynecology *Dental Care*Eyes, nose, and throat (ENT)*X-rays and Ultrasound*Blood tests*Mobile clinic*Traditional Vietnamese Medicine

*HealthCare services

Charitable work

Care for the elderly and persons living alone

Financial support for heart surgery

Environmental development: clean water, shelter, finding employment…

HIV/AIDS PROGRAM

Interreligious dialogue and interfaith cooperation

Number of new HIV infection/AIDS/

and Death

Cumulative HIV/AIDS and death by HIV/AIDS

(as of March 31,2014)

HIV AIDS Death HIV AIDS Death Current HIV statistic/100,000

people

2.012 928 300 218.204

67.259 69.287 248

Cases of HIV/AIDS in Vietnam

HIV/AIDS situation of Hue Archdiocese by end of November 2013

Location Number of PLWHIV

Number of patients in the

AIDS stage

Cumulative deaths related to HIV/AIDS

Hue 325 151 315

Quang Tri 341 86 67

*History

*Started in May 1996 with a National Workshop to raise awareness on HIV/AIDS. The workshop was held in Thien Thien Hue province. There were 20 participants from different religious backgrounds.

Joint Religious HIV OrganizationThe first project management board in 2000

*HIV/AIDS projects

2005 – 2010 Projects: “Scaling up the faith-based response to HIV/AIDS” supported by USAID through NAV

1996 – 2005: with support from Nordic Assistance to Vietnam (NAV), we- developed community based care/counseling for PLWHA,- raised awareness on HIV/AIDS through outreach education for

clergy and people in local communities.

2010 – now Projects: “Response of Caritas Hue to HIV/ AIDS Pandemic in Vietnam” supported by Misereor

* Comprehensive Care:

Care for children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Palliative care in hospitals and communities.

Home visiting

Bereavement support

* Comprehensive Care:

*Outreach Education

Competitions in Catechism classes on HIV/AIDS related issues

Implement HIV/AIDS awareness activities for youth in the parishes

…to reduce stigma and discrimination

*Self-help group – Faith Club

Capacity Building

Strengthening the Human Resources, Structure of Organization and Spirituality

Monthly Meeting and Mass at the clinic

Achievements 1. Trust from PLHIV.

They feel safer disclosing their status and accessing medical treatment.

2. A great contribution to reducing stigma and discrimination: PLHIV are no longer isolated from families and communities.

3. Establishment of a self-help group: “Belief Club” We help members lead more productive lives and initiate discussions of income generating activities.

4. An improvement in the quality of work by the implementation groups:• Developed comprehensive approach with emphasis on mental

and spiritual care• Dedicated volunteers

Challenges

1. Role of the local clergy:

Participation of the local clergy is limited. There is only small group of

volunteers and sisters at the clinic involved in the program.

2. Economic difficulties. Most of PLHIV depend on our support.

Job creation for PLHIV is not easy due to discrimination.

3. Sustainability - Fundraising activities and activities to increase self-

funding. Because of the economic underdevelopment of the two

provinces, local fundraising is a big challenge.

* Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.(Mt 25:40)