15th International AIDS Conference Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. E10254)

Downing J, Sempiira E, Chikotola B
Mildmay International, Kampala, Uganda

BACKGROUND: The Mildmay Centre is a specialist care and training centre in Kampala, Uganda. The aim of the Centre is to demonstrate excellence in the field of HIV/AIDS care and to train healthcare providers in Uganda and the surrounding region in the principles and practices of AIDS care for both adults and children.

METHOD: Training programmes are held at the Centre for Ugandan and regional participants. Regional programmes have been conducted through various organisations such as RATN, USAID, CDC and FHI. These programmes vary in length and content and are designed to meet the specific needs of individuals from the region. An evaluation was carried out to look at the impact of the training on care in the region, through discussions with participants, document review, observation and questionnaires.

RESULTS: Participants from the region benefited from attending programmes at the Centre and also from visiting other HIV/AIDS organisations in the area, as well as from meeting participants from other African countries. They benefited from actually coming to the Centre as they were able to see what can be done and to experience the philosophy and quality of care taught first hand. Action plans had been developed and for the most part actioned. Participants had been able to develop services as a direct result of coming to the Centre, for example: ARV services in Mombasa, palliative care services for children in Zambia, establishment of an HIV/AIDS clinic in Nairobi and the introduction of oral morphine in Malawi.

CONCLUSION: The Mildmay Centre has gone a long way in trying to achieve its aim of impacting HIV/AIDS care in the region through its training programmes. It is clear from what has been done already that there is a regional impact of The Mildmay Centre and there is a place for bringing selected personnel to a regional centre where they can gain experience first hand and then go on to utilise in their own countries what they have gained.

040711
E10254

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