HIV/AIDS RELIEF, TREATMENT AND CARE

COMMITMENT

In the very early days of the fight against HIV/AIDS in Cameroon, Dr. Gwét- Bell took part in this particular war. Initially, her involvement took place within many women associations:

- African women in the SWAA (society of women and aids in Africa);

- women doctors ACAFEM (Cameroon association of women doctors).

The militant women of these associations aimed at sensitizing people about HIV/AIDS, preaching prevention, getting a psycho-social support and especially, organizing pleas at the very high levels of decision making. That took place  in the late 80's and Africa had yet to possess average therapeutic means against AIDS.

During this period of high militancy, some big pharmaceutical firms, MSD, Bristol, facilitated the training of some doctors invoved in the relief effort against the disease through trainig seminars all over the world and international conferences.

RELIEF AND TREATMENT

Very quickly, as soon as some doctors in the Africa continent acquired relevant knowledge, and that the medical authorities of Cameroon allowed the supply of anti-retroviruses drugs, Dr. Gwét-Bell, a member of the therapeutic committee of DARVIR (Douala anti-rétroviraux ), started within the Odyssée private clinic, the therapeutic support and treatment of HIV+ patients: first, for pregnant women to proctect against WTCT (protection against the transmission of HIV from a mother to her child), then the administration of the ARV to the HIV positive patients.

That is how protection against WTCT had been applied at the Odyssée private clinic since 1998; and tritherapy has been prescribed since 1999. Clinical Assisted Reproduction (IVF, IAC) is also proposed to the HIV-positive couples under particular conditions.

Since 1998, this medical care and treatment made it possible for hundred of babies, to be born, all healthy, from HIV-positive parents, at the Odyssée medical clinic; this also gives hope to the HIV-positive couples with infertility problems, that they can have a maternity at no risk.

The Odyssée private clinic also takes part in the fight against AIDS within private enterprises through sensitization meetings, free medical tests, and the support of HIV-positive employees and families.

Many young doctors and medical personnel of the Odyssée Medical Clinic benefited from the various training programs by DARVIR and other NGO ; all which make them capable of the medical and psychosocial support of the HIV positive patients.

All that commitment require joint actions: public authorities, civil society, families and medical personnel, if one hope to overcome some day, this pandemia which affects today, 42.000.000 people with more than 80% living in Sub-Saharan Africa.

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