UNICEF: Bringing HIV/AIDS care to remote Zambia

MPIKA, Zambia, 11 March 2008 -- One in five pregnant women in Zambia is HIV-positive. It is a heart-stopping figure, but it also explains the increasing rates of paediatric HIV that doctors are facing in hospitals and clinics across the country.

Critical treatment and testing for HIV are not available throughout Zambia, however. Outside of urban centres such as Lusaka and Ndola, families lack easy access to hospitals and clinics. For example, in Zambia's largest district, Mpika -- home to about 165,000 people -- there is just one government hospital, Mpika District Hospital, and one doctor, Mulindwa Tarcis.

Last year, however, Last year, UNICEF helped Dr. Tarcis organize a mobile HIV/AIDS unit to reach the most vulnerable. He recruited some of his best staff for the innovative project.

To read the full story, visit: http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/zambia_43170.html

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• UNICEF
• HIV
• AIDS
• HIV/AIDS
• Zambia
• Mpika
• Dr.
• Mulindwa
• Tarcis