HIV/AIDS
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© G Pirozzi/UNICEF Egypt |
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Examining blood samples at a testing centre in Egypt |
Reported HIV prevalence is low in Egypt, but there is very limited access to information for those most at risk and weak provision for people living with HIV.
Projects:-
Medical Students Peer Education
Under this project medical students are responding to HIV and AIDS as peer educators to mitigate the impact of the epidemic and develop educational, care and support programmes to prevent future infections and promote the treatment of people living with HIV (PLHIV). This approach is proving particularly useful as a lack of friendly services and much misinformation on modes of transmission is leaving young people vulnerable to HIV and AIDS.
Scaling-Up Outreach to Vulnerable Women
Girls and women are particularly vulnerable to HIV as societal norms in Egypt can hinder them from accessing information about sexuality. This initiative provides HIV prevention information and services to vulnerable women and girls at risk of HIV infection by providing medical, legal and social support (including vocational training) to women. The project also targets male partners of vulnerable women.
Greater Involvement of People Living with HIV
People living with HIV and their families or caretakers need not only medical, but also psychological, social and economic support. This project works with PLHIV to strengthen their capacity to cope with HIV by establishing Egypt’s first NGO managed by PLHIV, which will seek to mitigate the impact of the infection and achieve a better quality of life for PLHIV. It will support the establishment of a model for home-based care services and help improve medical care services for PLHIV.
Support for Children in Social Care Institutions
This project is the first attempt to work with child care institutions to reduce the vulnerability of children at risk of HIV by enhancing their capacity to protect themselves from HIV through better protection and awareness raising. Targeted beneficiaries include at-risk children, young mentors, researchers, social workers, counselors and government counterparts.
Policy, Advocacy and Partnerships
UNICEF supported a survey on HIV/AIDS-related risk behaviour among street children. The data will be used for advocacy and programme planning. UNICEF has partnered with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and the Egyptian National AIDS Program to oversee procurement of all antiretroviral drugs supplied by the government. Further partnerships drive activities under the Unite for Children, Unite Against HIV and Hepatitis C Campaign, and the World AIDS Campaign.
