A chat with the Care and Support Manager

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” video_preview_image=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding=”” dimension_margin=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no”][fusion_text]

Mrs Florence Olaosebikan is the Manager for the Care and Support Unit of the Community Medicine Department of EHAI. She is characterised by her passion and unparalleled dedication to duty, and a vast wealth of knowledge and experience working with HIV/AIDS. The Care and Support unit because of her avid dexterity has performed outstandinglyon the ACTION Plus Up project by surpassing its targets for the just concluded Country Operational Plan (COP) year 2013.

With 35,573 people enrolled into the Most at Risk Population (MARPs) program, the target of 10,000 was surpassed by a whopping356%. On the Orphaned and Vulnerable (OVC) program the target of 2000 was exceeded by 131% with 2,613 children enrolled into the program. The unit is responsible for Coordinating a most effective Community Support Structure (CSS), as well as three Community Based Organisations (CBOs) implementing the MARPs and OVC programs. The unit ensures that facility staff and staff of the CBOs working with them are involved in regular and necessary orientation, mentoring and supervisory programs and activities.  The effect of which has been evident in its success story.

In a chat with the EHAI communication unit, Mrs Olaosebikan had this to say of her success story:

[/fusion_text][fusion_title margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” size=”4″ content_align=”left” style_type=”none” sep_color=””]

What is the goal of the Care and Support Unit?

[/fusion_title][fusion_text]

In the care and support unit, our ultimate goal is to provide comprehensive care to people living with HIV/AIDS including their family members, as well as Orphaned and Vulnerable Children. We are committed to ensuring they lead normal lives albeit their status and ensuring their access to basic necessities of life.

[/fusion_text][fusion_title margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” size=”4″ content_align=”left” style_type=”none” sep_color=””]What are the strategies that the unit has been implemented that have been key to its success?[/fusion_title][fusion_text]

As part of our provision of comprehensive care, at the facility level we provide basic care commodities as a preventive measure. We also have the CSS services in place to provide medication adherence maintenance to people living with HIV/AIDS in the community.

Working with the CBOs in OVC services, we provide core services like education, psychological support, shelter, child and legal protection, food (ACTION MEAL),nutritional services, health and household economic strengthening. These NGOs work in collaboration with the EHAI supported facilities; during clinic days, Mother-2-Mother/adult support group meetings and within the community, children are enrolled into the program. We also practice a two way referral system: the facilities refer children to the NGOs for enrolment and services, while the NGOs refer OVC to facilities for health services.

In reaching the Most at Risk Population, we work with a CBO – Community Health Initiative (CHI). They are situated within Ore in Ondo state and focus on Ore and its environs in the program. They carry out outreaches to brothels – Commercial Sex Workers (CSW), motor parks – long distance drivers, community development associations, out of school youths etc. The services provided include STI assessment, condom distribution and HCT (HIV Counselling and Testing).

We are currently working with two NGOs for OVC services.They are: Emmanuel World Children foundation Akure, Ondo state and Fochrid at Ado-Ekiti for Ekiti state.

[/fusion_text][fusion_title margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” size=”5″ content_align=”left” style_type=”none” sep_color=””]

Lesson learnt

[/fusion_title][fusion_text]

A key lesson that we have learnt is the importance of prompt requisition of commodities, as well as diligent follow up for supplies. Passion and dedication is very important; this I have experienced, especially working with the NGOs who have been very passionate, aggressive and target driven. I must also commend the proactivity of the EHAI team and their apt diligence to this project; it is really a beautiful experience working with them.

[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container admin_label=”” hundred_percent=”yes” equal_height_columns=”yes” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” video_preview_image=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ layout=”1_2″ spacing=”no” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”https://www.ehainigeria.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/cs1-300×249.jpg” background_position=”left top” undefined=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no”][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ layout=”1_2″ spacing=”no” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”https://www.ehainigeria.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/cs2-300×249.jpg” background_position=”left top” undefined=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no”][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” video_preview_image=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding=”” dimension_margin=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no”][fusion_text]

“E wa ran waleruni” meaning “You have come to help lift our burden” Says the Caregiver of OlakiitanOlumide (the little boy above)

[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container admin_label=”” hundred_percent=”yes” equal_height_columns=”yes” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” video_preview_image=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ layout=”1_2″ spacing=”no” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”https://www.ehainigeria.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/cs3.jpg” background_position=”left top” undefined=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no”][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ layout=”1_2″ spacing=”no” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”https://www.ehainigeria.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/cs4.jpg” background_position=”left top” undefined=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no”][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” video_preview_image=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding=”” dimension_margin=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no”][fusion_text]

CHI staff on one of their outreach programs

[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

About the Author

You may also like these