Cho Moi District Launches USAID Funded Outpatient Clinic

 

Monday, December 29 brought new hope to Cho Moi District in An Giang, a Mekong Delta community hard hit by the HIV epidemic.  In a ceremony attended by the provincial Health Department, the AIDS and Tuberculosis Committee, People’s Committee, USAID staff and local journalists, USAID partner Family Health International (FHI) celebrated the launch of services at the Cho Moi Outpatient Clinic.  With 30 clients ready to enroll in anti-retroviral therapy, the OPC is expected to rapidly increase its client base to 75 patients receiving prophylaxis and treatment for HIV related opportunistic infections and diseases over the next few months.  While medical care and treatment is an important first step in helping People Living with HIV (PLHIV), the FHI family centered approach recognizes the need to address multiple PLHIV requirements such as psychological and spiritual counseling, nutritional support, job training and assistance, and the special needs of children infected and affected by HIV.  The Cho Moi OPC is the fourth An Giang HIV clinic supported through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).  It is part of a strategic network of service providers that serves the needs of local clients and draws patients from neighboring provinces Dong Thap and Kien Giang, and even Cambodians from across the border.