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HIV-Tuberculosis
+100,000
HIV tests performed per year
+15,000
People receiving antiretroviral drugs
+9,000
Tuberculosis tests
+10,000
Orphans supported by our social support activities
Pioneer in HIV care in Haiti
HIV / AIDS continues to be a major national concern, especially for at-risk and marginalized populations. According to UNAIDS, in 2018, approximately 160,000 people in Haiti were living with HIV, and 7,300 new HIV infections were recorded. In the same year, HIV prevalence was 2% among adults age 15 to 49, which has been constant since 2006. In 1990, ZL launched the HIV Equity Initiative, which is one of the first programs in the world to provide antiretroviral therapy in resource-constrained settings. Over the years, ZL has grown to become one of the largest providers of HIV care in the departments of Plateau Central and Artibonite.
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During the launch of the HIV Equity Initiative, antiretroviral drugs cost about $ 10,000 per patient per year. ZL started with a core group of 50 patients, proving that HIV can be treated in low-resource settings. Using a holistic approach, ZL combines clinical care with social support services: accommodation, food, school fees, transport costs and other basic needs. A large network of “companions” and versatile community health workers (ASCPs), who create the link between patients and the health facilities supported by ZL, play an important role in the success of the program.
In Haiti, ASCPs emphasize the importance of supporting people on their path to illness and their return to health. Living in the communities where they work, Community Health Workers are trustworthy and welcome in patients to provide high quality services for a wide range of health issues. ASCPs also ensure that patients have food, shelter and clean water to recover and stay healthy. They run education campaigns on topics such as mental health, sexually transmitted diseases and palliative care, and empower community members to take charge of their own health. More than 2,000 ASCPs work within the ZL network.
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The priorities of the program are:
Screening and treatment
Prevention and education
Social support
Prevention of mother-to-child transmission