Newsletter 03, August 2015 www.amsuganda.org

CONTINUED GROWTH AT ALIVE MEDICAL SERVICES Alive Medical Services has focused on maintaining and improving high quality, comprehensive services for a growing number

of clients. AMS is now providing state-of-the-art medical services to over 12,200 HIV positive clients, and more than

13,000 total beneficiaries! AMS has maintained quality throughout this growth by increasing clinic efficiencies, laboratory

capabilities, support group services, and organizational communication.

By acquiring new medical equipment, AMS can offer a more complete range of in-house laboratory tests and better equip each

consultation room to increase patients convenience and access. Thanks to donations and funding from Medical Access and

Human Diagnostics Uganda, AMS is now able to conduct a wider range of chemistry tests on site. AMS has also continued to

offer new, innovative support groups and income generation projects to better support patients psychological, social, and

income needs. Finally, over the past six months, AMS has increased organizational communication to support better resource

mobilization and ensure that funding will meet and sustain the needs of a growing clinic. Increasing financial resources will

enable the clinic to continue providing quality, comprehensive services to a continually growing group of beneficiaries.

In June AMS launched their first online fundraiser through GlobalGiving, a web-based fundraising platform. Over the course of

one month, AMS raised $57,636 USD and earned a permanent partnership spot on GlobalGivings website. This fundraiser

provided an opportunity to see the large number of lives touched by AMS services, by receiving support and donations from

beneficiaries, community members, and friends from around the world. The entire AMS family offers our deepest thanks. We

look forward to continuing to provide the highest quality, comprehensive HIV services in solidarity with you.

Together we can end AIDS in Uganda. INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Welcome: Dr. Pasquine Ogunsanya ........ 2

Eliminating Mother-to-Child Transmission

.................................................................... 2

Laboratory Services Supporting EMTCT 3

Supporting AMS ........................................ 4

EMTCT Success Story ............................... 4

AMS Car/Boda Wash Fundraiser ............ 6

SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST

Visit our website at :

www.amsuganda.org

Learn about how AMS has eliminated

mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS

Join AMS in saving lives by making a

Creating a world of love and dignity

through provision of state-of-the-art medical services to the needy

Our aim is to prevent HIV transmission from mothers to their children, with the ultimate goal of an HIV free generation!

Dear friends,

I hope that you and your loved ones are very well. What a joy it is to share all of the exciting things that have happened at AMS in the second quarter of 2015! AMS has continued to provide a unique approach to HIV/AIDS treatment, which addresses the medical, social, and economic factors that affect people living with HIV and their families. Thanks to your support, AMS now cares for over 12,200 HIV positive clients, serving them with love, dignity, and excellence.

We are very grateful for your donations during AMS first online fundraiser. The fundraiser was hugely successful, generating the second highest amount of money ($57,636 USD) ever raised by a new organization on GlobalGiving. Thank you so much!

We are also happy to announce that AMS has continued to eliminate all mother-to-child transmission of HIV among enrolled clients. Since 2013, all (100%) babies born to HIV positive women enrolled in AMS care have successfully received a negative final HIV Test.

We hope that you enjoy reading about our work and that you will share this newsletter with your friends and family. With your help, we will continue to serve the most vulnerable in our community and bring an end to AIDS in Uganda.

Together more lives will be saved!

Thank you,

DR. PASQUINE OGUNSANYA FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

LOOKING FOR THE BEST WAY TO SUPPORT AMS

AND OUR LIFE-SAVING PROGRAMS?

Support Alive Medical Services projects on the GlobalGiving website!

AMS needs supporters to make online contributions to our projects! Follow AMS on Facebook, Twitter, and www.amsuganda.org

or search for Alive Medical Services on the GlobalGiving website (www.globalgiving.org). Online donations are the fastest and

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Alive Medical Services recognizes that eliminating mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV is an essential step in

realizing an AIDS-free generation. AMS has created an innovative and comprehensive EMTCT program and has successfully

eliminated new infections among all babies born to HIV positive women enrolled in AMS care.

AMS EMTCT program supports HIV positive women and mothers throughout every step of the child-bearing process, from

before conception through the first 18 months of the babys life. Since 2013, AMS has been offering Option B+, which is the

World Health Organizations recommendation for providing lifelong ART to all pregnant and breastfeeding women regardless of

their CD4 count or the clinical stage of their virus. Since offering Option B+ AMS has had a 100% success rate, with all HIV

positive women enrolled in services giving birth to healthy, HIV negative babies. Since 2013, AMS has discharged 279 negative

babies, discharging 104 negative babies in the first six months of 2015 alone.

AMS sets the foundation of a successful EMTCT program through providing widespread information about the considerations,

process, and holistic treatment that is needed to give birth to a healthy, HIV negative baby. AMS staff uses regular health talks to

ELIMINATING MOTHER-TO-CHILD TRANSMISSION AT AMS

Staff members educate women interested in becoming pregnant on the proper time to conceive -

when their immune system is strong, CD4 count is high, and viral load is low. Any woman not

currently healthy enough to become safely pregnant is encouraged to stay on family planning until

their health becomes optimal for conceiving a child. When a woman has been identified to be

healthy enough to get pregnant, she and her partner are encouraged to enroll in couples

counseling, including pre-conception advice to determine when a couple is prepared to give birth

to and raise a healthy, HIV negative baby together. This psychosocial support encourages male

involvement, by reminding men of their role and responsibility to test for HIV/STIs and support

the mother and child in maintaining proper nutrition and treatment adherence.

Once a woman becomes pregnant she is enrolled in AMS ANC program where she is taught

about the pregnancy risk factors exacerbated by HIV/AIDS, including the importance of child

spacing, hospital deliveries, and safe breast feeding practices. After completing the ANC program,

AMS provides the pregnant women with an initial prophylaxis for the baby and refers them to a

local hospital for safe delivery services.

Six weeks after birth, mothers bring their babies to AMS for immunizations, an HIV test, and

septrine. At the same time, mothers receive family planning services (to support child spacing) and

can be screened for cervical cancer. AMS ensures high retention rates among mothers and

newborn babies, by providing frequent phone calls, text messages, and home visits. Additionally,

AMS eases the burden on mothers by synching services to allow mothers and their babies to

receive treatment at the same time. AMS staff continues to provide comprehensive monitoring and

care to mothers and babies throughout the first 18 months, until the baby is discharged HIV free.

AMS EMTCT program is highly effective due to unique aspects, including:

Providing on-site access to laboratory tests, medical services, and medications, in order to

ease the burden on mothers and increase convenience

Providing a mother-to-mother psychosocial support group, which empowers HIV positive

mothers to become EMTCT ambassadors by spreading information throughout their

communities and providing counseling and encouragement to other pregnant mothers

Providing additional psychosocial support and care to all mothers and babies throughout the

entire process, allowing mothers to feel comfortable and confident

Organizing a platform for the Network Club that gives HIV positive, single clients an

opportunity to connect in a low-stigma setting, and ultimately can lead to more honest

relationships, improved couples adherence, and safer births

LABORATORY

SERVICES

SUPPORTING

EMTCT

The convenience and

ease that results from

having all services

and treatments

provided on-site is

particularly important

for pregnant mothers.

AMS laboratory

provides a full

selection of services

for pregnant women,

including testing

urine, blood, STIs,

iron level, malaria,

and sugar. These tests

allow AMS clinicians

to constantly monitor

the health of HIV

positive pregnant

women throughout

the entire pregnancy.

Providing all of these

tests in one location

Improves

confidentiality

and preserves

patients dignity

Improves AMS

ability to monitor

mother and child

health by

coordinating care

and keeping all

records

centralized

Improves

retention by

allowing mothers

to access tests for

free and with

more

convenience

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EMTCT: AN OPPORTUNITY FOR FRESH LIFE AND

A Mothers Love Provides Leadership

Veronica Amongin is a loving mother to

four children and a respectful, supportive

wife. Veronica, like many mothers,

supports her family by balancing

household work, income generating labor,

and emotional support and encouragement

for her husband and children. Her slender

and unimposing frame can belittle this

womans impressive strength and

enduring spirit. When asked about her

family, Veronicas face transforms into a

glowing grin, emitting warmth,

compassion, and above all pride.

Veronicas greatest display of love for her

family began 10 years ago, when after

suffering from consistent health problems

she decided to take a voluntary HIV test.

After suffering from severe throat pain

and other general discomforts for

extended periods of time, Veronica was

eventually forced to seek medical

attention. She admits that she was initially

nervous to get tested for HIV. However,

she became willing after her pain

increased and she was exposed to public

health messaging that encouraged the

importance of testing. Veronica learned

more about the value of HIV testing

through community drama performances

that advocated about the need for HIV

testing and treatment. Veronica was most

impressed by the beautiful, healthy-

looking women who acted in the dramas.

Their appearance gave Veronica hope: if

it was possible for these women to look so

attractive while living with HIV, then it

must also be possible to maintain a

healthy life even with the sickness.

In 2005 Veronica first arrived at AMS,

and was immediately encouraged by the

loving welcome that she received at the

clinic. After being tested, Veronica was

confirmed HIV positive. She immediately

enrolled in AMS services and began

taking antiretroviral drugs and received

treatment for her other symptoms.

Confident in the quality care that she had

received, Veronica decided to bring her 8-

year old son, Antony, to the clinic to be

tested as well. Unfortunately, the boy was

also confirmed HIV positive and began

treatment.

Shortly after beginning treatment,

Veronica and Antony began to feel better

and regain their strength. However,

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HELP CREATE A

WORLD OF LOVE AND

DIGNITY

SUPPORT AMS!

To support the life-saving services

and dedicated team at Alive

Medical Services (AMS), please

make a donation today via our

website (www.amsuganda.org) or

via our project pages on the

GlobalGiving website!

GlobalGiving: Search for Alive

Medical Services projects on the

website (www.globalgiving.org)

PAYPAL: Use the email

admin@amsuganda.org

In Uganda: Donate directly

through STANDARD

CHARTERED BANK UGANDA

Account name: Alive Medical

Services

Account number: 8702813387901

Swift code: SCBLUGKA

Medical volunteers are always

welcome. Opportunities also exist

for non-medical volunteers. Please

send your expression of interest to:

admin@amsuganda.org

VOLUNTEER

DONATE

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Breaking the Cycle and Giving Birth to Healthy Children

Over a year after testing positive for HIV and beginning treatment, Veronica

became pregnant. After seeing her son struggle with HIV, Veronica was

nervous about giving birth to another child. However, throughout the pregnancy

Veronica received treatment, counseling, and support from AMS. With

encouragement and support from the AMS staff, Veronica adhered to her

treatment and remained strong and healthy.

Thanks to the top quality clinical and psychosocial care that she received from

AMS, Veronica remained confident throughout her pregnancy. In February,

2007 Veronica gave birth to a healthy baby girl and a year and a half later, gave

birth again to a healthy baby boy. Both children tested negative for HIV.

Giving birth to two healthy babies restored Veronicas hope and commitment to

raising a healthy family.

Caring for the Whole Family with Comprehensive Care

In addition to receiving clinical care from AMS, Veronicas family has

benefitted from the full range of comprehensive services offered. Veronica

appreciated the comfort of receiving all of the assistance that she and her family

needed in one convenient location. We felt so contented and satisfied about

the services that we received from Alive Medical Services that we saw there

was no need for us to go to any other center for anything and we went ahead to

encourage more people to come to Alive Medical Services, through [sharing]

the testimonies.

Before getting sick, Veronica and her husband had worked hard to provide a

good life for their small family. However, after becoming sick with HIV, both

parents were forced to stop working. With no income the family struggled to

meet even their basic needs. Fortunate for the food support provided by AMS,

Veronica was able to continue providing her family with essential, nutritious

meals even during the most challenging times.

Caring and supportive, the AMS counseling staff continued to encourage the

two parents and provided them with information about all the components to

living healthy and productive lives. This psychosocial support allowed

Veronica and her husband to persist and remain hopeful in even the darkest

times. AMS staff also helped connect the family to a range of other resources

outside of the clinic, including linking Veronica to livelihood skills courses at a

local church. Veronica learned tailoring and business skills and even received

her own sewing machine through the program. The course allowed Veronica to

begin earning money for her family again and renewed their sense of self-

sustainability. If it wasnt for Alive Medical [Services] I wouldnt have

When asked about her family, Veronicas face transforms into a glowing grin, emitting warmth, compassion, and above all pride.

VERONICA, CONT.

Working Towards an AIDS-Free Generation

When Veronica first arrived at Alive Medical Services, she was sick and weak. In fact, Veronica admits thinking that she would

die soon after she had tested positive for HIV. Fortunately after beginning treatment, Veronica began to feel stronger again and

after giving birth to the first negative child her hope only grew. A healthy family proved to be a mothers best medicine

restoring Veronicas determination to lead a healthy life. Now, Veronica counsels neighbors about testing and adhering to

treatment. She shares her own story as an example, saying anyone can lead a healthy life if they are taking medicines. Her

restored health and giving birth to two HIV negative children is what encourages Veronica to spread information and counsel

others. The message I would really love to give to anyone who is pregnant: I would recommend the person to run as fast as

possible to [the] nearest health center to test for HIV and know their status. In case she realizes that she is positive, she would be

advised to begin taking medicine as soon as possible. She also emphasizes the importance of carefully adhering to treatment,

proclaiming that EMTCT provides mothers a way to give birth to a healthy, HIV negative child.

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In coordination with the June online fundraiser, AMS organized two Car/Motorcycle Wash Fundraisers at the clinic. These

community-based events enabled AMS to continue strengthening their brand and recognition within Namuwongo and greater

Kampala, by empowering community members and beneficiaries to contribute back into the clinic while also providing new,

creative entry-points into services. For example, as commercial motorcycle drivers waited for their bikes to be cleaned they

could also participate in a full round of complementary, comprehensive tests including voluntary HIV counselling and testing.

These events provided one more example of how the creative work being done at AMS provides new, low-barrier entry points

into the clinics services. It is this creativity and innovation that allows AMS to continue reaching new beneficiaries and keeps

retention rates well above the national average. Above all, these events illustrated the achievement of building an HIV clinic that

the community is excited to come together and celebrate. Thank you to all of our many supporters and contributors that made the

AMS CAR/MOTORCYCLE WASH FUNDRAISER

AMS PROGRAMS ARE MADE POSSIBLE BY GENEROUS SUPPORT FROM: