 KCCC has continuously had an increase in the number of children infected with HIV/AIDS, yet it has limited capacity to care for them. It has been reported that this period, over 256 children below 14 years had been registered, but only 10 of them had been enrolled on ART (4%). We usually refer some to Mild May International. While KCCC's long standing partnership with Mild May International has positioned us better to care for these children more appropriately; we cannot refer all of them to the facility. Thus KCCC has offered pediatric care using the family approach. This approach has intensively taken advantage of the strong family. Through guardian/family support system, follow up has been done by the medical team. This care and support has also addressed the pediatric management process through this simple procedure (early detection and management of disease, referral of acute cases, psychosocial and palliative care, enrolment for ART for those who qualify)
In 2007, KCCC's strategic intention focused on a more vigorous pediatric care. This now entails development of more effective palliative care for children including establishment of a recreation centre for children infected with the disease.
Success Story
 Rebecca is a 14 year old from a family of 7 children. Rebecca's parents are both living positively and seeking care at KCCC clinic. In 2008 Rebecca was brought to the clinic and examined by the doctors, she had an on and off cough, with a CD4 count of 16cmm³ in WHO staging IV, her health status had deteriorated very much, she suffered from stigma from her fellow pupils at school and children in the community. This made her hate herself and also accuse her parents of infecting her with HIV.
She was enrolled on ART. She no longer falls sick frequently and attends classes and clinic appointments regularly. Rebecca can now openly and publicly talk about her status unlike before.
Currently, Ushindi is seen as a star by the friends in the Children's support group. She teaches them songs and poems. She encourages them to develop their talents. She interacts with them full of happiness and joy; this encourages other children to be happy as well. And hence this has made her fellow children clients adhere to treatment. Rebecca wants to become a Banker because I can do mathematics better". |
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