What will I Learn?
The MSE scheme provides a unique opportunity to see integrated health programmes working with the survivors of genocide in Rwanda. Students spend two weeks with Solace Ministries in Kigali , followed by two weeks at the AVEGA Project (Association des Veuves du Genocide) in Rwamagana.
Both clinics operate with the primary responsibility of providing technical assistance and management of antiretroviral therapy. They also provide ongoing clinical consultation, monitoring procurement of ARV drugs; counselling, laboratory services, hospital referrals, outreach and homebased care, patient support services, and follow up support.
Clinical care services: All patients referred to the clinics are examined and assessed for HIV-related signs and symptoms at baseline and at each follow-up visit using a standardized questionnaire. There is a drug dispensary, and there is a great focus on tackling common community and opportunisitic infections, such as malaria.
Laboratory services: Routine laboratory services at the clinic include microscopic examination for different biologic specimens, syphilis screening, HIV testing, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and microscopic cell blood count (CBC).
Patient support services: Psychosocial and counselling support, as well as nutritional guidance, is part of the continuum of care for HIV positive patients. Patients receive individual counselling sessions at the clinic, and they are visited at home by social workers to address their specific emotional and educational needs. They are encouraged to develop peer social support groups among themselves. The social workers are selected from within the neighbourhood community, spearhead the development of these networks.
Community outreach activities: Community outreach activities are also undertaken.
In addition to HIV, you will see a wide range of cases, including diarrhoea, dysentery, coughs and bacterial infections.