SWATCH Trains Healthcare Providers and Caregivers on Advanced HIV Disease in Kano

By Hannatu Suleiman Abba

The Support for Women and Teenage Children (SWATCH) has trained healthcare providers and caregivers on the management of Advanced HIV Disease (AHD) in children, with the aim of delivering more effective services for affected patients in Kano State.

SWATCH Project Lead under the IMPAACT4HIV initiative, Hajiya Farida Azira Abdulmalik PhD explained that, most children diagnosed with AHD are at high risk of developing severe infections that often lead to death if not properly managed.

“As part of the IMPAACT4HIV project, we are committed to training the trainee by building their capacity and to equip both healthcare providers and caregivers with the knowledge and skills to respond to the challenges of AHD in children,” she stated.

She added that the participants were carefully selected from among vibrant health workers and caregivers who have shown dedication, passion, and commitment to delivering quality HIV services in their health facilities and communities.

Dr. Abdulmalik further called on the Kano State Government to collaborate with like-minded organizations working in the HIV response, stressing the need to increase the number of service facilities for children with AHD.

Currently, there are only five facilities offering these services in the state ,we are also pleading to the government to Expand the service by at least 5%, which this will provide more sustainable solutions for affected patients,” she noted.

Also speaking at the event, Kano State AIDS program coordinator Dr. Umma Abubakar Isah said, the government is working tirelessly with Non-governmental organizations and other critical stakeholders to combat HIV in the state.

“By 2030, our goal is to ensure that 95% of people know their HIV status, 95% of those who are positive are placed on treatment, and massive awareness is created across the state,” Dr. Isah emphasized.