During the quarter, 23 non-suppressors were visited at home by health workers and CDOs for a joint IAC.
Given the various complex challenges faced by non-suppressors, some of which are gender-based, health-related, and social, the joint IAC with CDOs and health workers was formed to ensure that beneficiaries received a wide range of services during their visit.
However, it is clear that such joint visits have had a significant impact on the treatment outcomes of our beneficiaries, particularly non-suppressors, as they have been used as a platform to lobby, advocate, and solicit support from various child protection actors.For example, during the joint home-based IAC in Kalungu district, both the CDO and health workers assisted Brenda (2 years old with 2000 VL copies), who was at high risk of staying with her non-suppressing father, a cocaine addict.
Unfortunately, the father purposefully refused to give her drugs, believing that it would be a solution that would persuade her mother to return after feeling compassion for her children.
Although the plan was to arrest the father, his condition alone would not allow him to be imprisoned (severely ill with HIV and AIDS), and the mother does not intend to return and is unwilling to take the children because she married elsewhere.
However, as a result of the resolution, Brenda was adopted by her paternal aunt (a neighbour) who will care for her, including ensuring her adherence. MDMS provided temporary food support to the household, and both treatment literacy and adherence counselling were provided onsite, with the team promising to follow up weekly.
The CDO also promised to continue engaging the mother and other relatives to ensure all the children are in safe custody in accordance with the child protection principles.