The RHF team organized a comprehensive 5-day community Home-Based Care (HBC) training for Community Volunteers (CVs) living in each of the seven target communities in Ogbia LGA. The training aimed to equip the volunteers with essential knowledge and skills to support People Living with HIV (PLHIV) in their communities, ensuring they can deliver effective home-based care and improve the quality of life for individuals affected by HIV.
The training covered several critical modules designed to provide a holistic approach to care and support for PLHIV:
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Basic Facts about HIV/AIDS: This module offered a foundational understanding of HIV/AIDS, including transmission, prevention, and treatment options.
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Introduction to Home-Based Care: Participants learned the principles of home-based care, emphasizing the importance of providing support for PLHIV in their homes and communities.
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Objective and Nature of HBC: The training highlighted the objectives of HBC programs, focusing on compassionate care, monitoring health progress, and ensuring proper referrals to health facilities when necessary.
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Skills for HBC: CVs were trained on practical skills necessary for adequate care, including monitoring health, assisting with medication adherence, and providing emotional support.
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Stigma Reduction: The importance of combating stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS was emphasized, encouraging CVs to advocate for a more inclusive and supportive environment.
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Communication Skills on HBC: The training provided CVs with practical communication tools, enabling them to engage with PLHIV compassionately, offer counseling, and address their concerns.
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Nutrition/Positive Living for PLHIV: Nutrition and maintaining a healthy lifestyle were covered to help PLHIV manage their health more effectively and live positively with the virus.
Throughout the 5-day training, there was a strong focus on the in-depth transfer of knowledge and skills, ensuring the volunteers were fully equipped to provide quality care. The RHF team emphasized that the expectations for service delivery would be high, as the CVs play a crucial role in the success of the program and the well-being of the individuals they support. The training provided not only knowledge but also practical skills to ensure that the CVs could serve their communities with confidence and compassion.
