Global Health
New tools, trusted spaces: expanding HIV prevention in Mozambique – stories
“Silent voices do not create change.”
This is the motto of a modest but vibrant community center in Mozambique’s capital, Maputo.
Here, individuals who too often face stigma and harassment can discover a secure space and support in accessing crucial health care and legal protection – services they’ve often been denied.
Tiago* is 24 years old and works as a tiler throughout the occupational health and safety course. Like lots of his friends, he came upon in regards to the center through an outreach employee – someone he could connect with and trust.
“It’s not just an institution, it’s a family,” says Tiago. “It’s very good to be here, not only for me but for many people.”
The center is run by social organizations, and investments come from the Global Fund.
It is supported by a network of 20 support employees who constitute a vital link between the community and the health service.
In addition to offering a secure and welcoming space, the middle provides health education and helps people get around and access health care. There are also three trained paralegals available to supply legal advice and support to individuals who have experienced violence or discrimination.
Globally, gay men and other men who’ve sex with men are 23 times more prone to be infected with HIV than the final population. Reaching out and supporting them is crucial to limit the number of latest infections and control the epidemic.
In addition to direct support, the team works closely with healthcare providers, faith leaders and police to advertise stigma-free services.
“There are still many challenges, but it is much easier today than it was 10 years ago,” says paralegal Isabel*.
From left to right: Henrique, Tiago and Carlos* at a community center in Mozambique. All three received lenacapavir earlier this 12 months. Photo: The Global Fund/Vincent Becker
Looking to the longer term, the middle can also be helping to make sure people have access to the following generation of HIV prevention.
Mozambique is one in every of nine early adopter countries, which began administering lenacapavir (LEN) earlier this 12 months with support from the Global Fund. FLEX is a type of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) given twice a 12 months by injection.
Instead of taking a day by day pill, two easy injections every six months provide almost complete protection – and are a convenient, discreet option.
For Tiago, that is already a reality. He heard about LEN at the middle and was connected to a health care facility, where he received his first dose. Tiago says the protection offered by LEN gives him greater peace of mind and adaptability in his day by day life.
Henrique*, a field supervisor working at the middle, also received LEN. He believes that LEN can significantly increase the protection of your entire community against HIV. Henrique and his colleagues are actively educating their peers about this latest prevention option.
“This is our space,” he says. “The place where we meet. We have already started working to raise awareness about lenacapavir. We have several activities planned.”
The hub helps ensure latest prevention tools are understood and trusted, and other people know where to access them.
Since 2010, Global Fund investments have helped reduce the number of latest HIV infections in Mozambique by 45%, but with roughly 92,000 latest infections annually, reaching those most in danger through prevention, testing and treatment is essential to ending HIV as a public health threat.
*Names modified for privacy reasons.