In the context of the coronavirus pandemic, the ATLAS Project is adapting its activities and participating in the response by providing support to its implementing partners.
In the context of the fight against HIV, in Côte d’Ivoire, Mali and Senegal, the ATLAS Project works in close collaboration with health actors, whether institutional or operational, from the public, associative or community sectors. As soon as the first cases of COVID-19 appeared in these countries, the Project undertook to support its partners in adapting their activities, protecting people and raising awareness of barrier gestures to limit the spread of the virus.
Las Palmas health post team receives its endowment
Maintenance of the activities of dispensing HIVST kits and first distributions of protective materials.
Activities to provide HIVST kits have been maintained in all sites where possible, while ensuring the safety of people and compliance with national guidelines aimed at limiting gatherings and respecting barrier gestures in particular. It is indeed essential that, in the context of this epidemic, access to health services remains possible, in complete safety: self-testing is precisely an opportunity to maintain access to knowledge of one’s HIV status while limiting contact. To this end, the ATLAS Project provides its partners with protective equipment, mainly in the form of batches of hydroalcoholic gel and masks, but also hand washing devices in Côte d’Ivoire. As Dr Fatou Seck, Coordinator of the Outpatient Treatment Unit / Addiction Management Unit (UTA/UPAM) in Mbour, Senegal, pointed out, “We are pleased to welcome your donation for the staff and vulnerable populations followed at the Mbour EPS. This will help us to better manage our patients with less risk of contamination by COVID-19. In Senegal, nearly 3,000 bottles of hydroalcoholic gel, 2,000 bottles of liquid soap, 20,000 masks and about 20 non-contact temperature-taking devices have already been given to the partners.
Delivery of kits to the EPS of Mbour, Senegal
Handover of the grant to CTA Dakar
Awareness of barrier gestures
At the same time, and always with a view to preserving the population, special emphasis was placed on raising awareness of barrier gestures and knowledge of coronavirus disease. Thus, in each of its countries of action, the ATLAS Project participates financially in the reproduction of posters to raise awareness of barrier gestures. In Mali, an additional contribution has been allocated to finance radio spots broadcast in local languages on community radio stations. In Senegal, weekly awareness-raising programmes will be produced and broadcast on three community radio stations in the regions of Dakar, Mbour and Ziguinchor where the ATLAS Project is implementing the dispensing of HIV self-test kits.
Specific sensitization on COVID-19 for people living with HIV
Finally, in collaboration with UNAIDS, a poster dedicated to people living with HIV has been developed in order to make them aware of the specific behaviours to adopt in the face of this epidemic, such as the availability of three months of treatment for people on ARVs, or the particular need to respect barrier gestures for people with an unstable HIV infection, as they are more vulnerable to other infections. These posters will be available in our partners’ care centres.
COVID-19 awareness poster for People Living with HIV produced in collaboration with UNAIDS
In the context of the pandemic at #COVID19, the MTV Staying Alive Foundation and some of its actors from Babi, Down South and Naija share with us their experiences of confinement: barrier gestures, life as a couple, loneliness, domestic violence, living with HIV, parenthood, social distances, STI prevention, fakes news…
Daniel, star of ShugaBabi, and partner of the ATLAS Project in Côte d’Ivoire, but also Dineo, Leo, Zamo, Bongi, Oga T, are mobilized to bring answers to our questions in this exceptional mini-serie. Find new episodes of MTVShuga Alone Together as well as videos of awareness and advice.
The ATLAS Project is joining the response to COVID-19 in its three countries of operation.
🔴October 1st – News update #Covid19
In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Twice a week, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Twice a week, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
The New York Times devotes a scientific analysis to the children’s pandemic, including the reasons that seem to preserve them: How Do Children Fight Off the Coronavirus?
In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Twice a week, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Twice a week, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Twice a week, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Twice a week, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Twice a week, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Twice a week, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Twice a week, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Twice a week, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Twice a week, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Twice a week, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Twice a week, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Twice a week, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Every day, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Every day, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Every day, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
Review of an article published by the Global Fund in July, presenting the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on other epidemics, and based on the study: COVID-19 Country Monitoring Tool : DISRUPTIONS IN HIV, TB AND MALARIA PROGRAMS DUE TO COVID-19
In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Every day, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Every day, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Every day, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Every day, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Every day, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Every day, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Every day, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Every day, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Every day, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Every day, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Every day, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Every day, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Every day, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Every day, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Every day, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Every day, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Every day, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Every day, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Every day, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
🔴May 19th – Daily update #Covid19 In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Every day, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
🔴May 18th – Daily update #Covid19 In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Every day, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
🔴May 15th – Daily update #Covid19 In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Every day, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
Today’s focus is on two key resources to help healthcare professionals meet the challenges posed by the pandemic:
Responding to COVID-19 : An application developed by WHO to enable health professionals to access all WHO COVID-19 recommendations, tools and training (EN)
🔴May 14th – Daily update #Covid19 In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Every day, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
🔴May 13th – Daily update #Covid19 In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Every day, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
🔴May 12th – Daily update #Covid19 In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Every day, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
🔴May 11th – Daily update #Covid19 In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Every day, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
🔴May 8th – Daily update #Covid19 In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Every day, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
🔴May 7th – Daily update #Covid19 In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Every day, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
🔴May 6th – Daily update #Covid19 In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Every day, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
The surprising images of the World seen from the sky in times of confinement : Le COVID-19 vu du ciel –
And always to keep up with the epidemiology : https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.htm
🔴May 5th – Daily update #Covid19 In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Every day, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
And always to keep up with the epidemiology : https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.htm
🔴May 4th – Daily update #Covid19 In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Every day, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
🔴April 30 – Daily update #Covid19 In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Every day, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
🔴April 29 – Daily update #Covid19 In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Every day, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
🔴April 28 – Daily update #Covid19 In the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, a lot of information is circulating and it is sometimes difficult to extract the true from the false. Every day, we offer you a selection of links allowing you to have access to reliable information on the evolution of the pandemic.
🔴Any questions about COVID-19? Developed by the Solthis teams, by compiling existing resources and contributing our expertise, download our FAQs in French and English on COVID-19
At 66
years old, Maman Koffi shows inexhaustible energy to work to improve the status
of women around the San Pedro region of Côte d’Ivoire, which includes 10
administrative regions and 24 health districts. “I have been through a lot
myself,” she explains. “I bore eight children, but lost four before their fifth
year. I have experienced school pregnancies, home deliveries without medical
assistance, and one of my children died of malaria because he was not taken to
hospital but to the village. “Mama Koffi chose not to let her pain overwhelm
her, but rather to enter midwifery school. “I chose to be a midwife to prevent
this tragedy from happening to others, and I chose to work in the community to
raise awareness and help these mothers. “After her initial training, Maman
Koffi also graduated from the Ecole des Cadres in Côte d’Ivoire and then from a
University Diploma in Mother and Child Health obtained at the René Descartes
University Paris-V in 1996. At the beginning of her career, she and her
colleagues used to contribute when resources were lacking to organize awareness
sessions on women’s, mother and child health, but also on malaria and
tuberculosis prevention, or obstetric fistula. In 1998, “with some of my
sisters, I undertook the creation of the Association for the Management of the
Bardot Delegated Municipal Maternity Hospital (AGEMAB), the only maternity
hospital at that time in the large slum of Bardot, with the aim of relieving
congestion at the Regional Hospital Center (CHR) and contributing to the reduction
of maternal and infant mortality. » With a view to optimizing the participation of the female community in the
management of the maternity hospital, in 1999 she initiated the creation of the
Association for the Promotion of Women’s, Mother, Child and Family Health
(Aprosam), of which she is still Executive Director today. Also President of
the Women’s Union of San Pedro, Côte d’Ivoire, Maman Koffi continues her daily
community work which has enabled her to reach thousands of women, mothers and children
and has recently integrated HIV self-testing kits, as a partner of the ATLAS
Project, into her activities. “We have two mobile clinics to reach female sex
workers (SWs) who are in the agro-industrial areas where the seasonal workers
are working. Self-testing is very well received, especially because these sex
workers did not come to the health centre for fear of being seen. Self-testing
really complements our service offer. “Since October 2019, 980 people have been
made aware of this complementary screening strategy, including 715 women.
Around 50 people have learned their HIV status and have been able to receive
treatment. These community activities also include the development of income-generating
activities, so that these women can become empowered and fight against the
discrimination they face on a daily basis. “If one, two or three women get
involved in this way, they save children, they save mothers,” says Maman Koffi
while answering one of her incessant phone calls. A community resource, but also
a sympathetic ear and a devoted friend, Maman Koffi has put her life at the
service of women, so that they can free themselves from the barriers that
patriarchy imposes on them. “Today I am a grandmother, twice. But above all I
am the mother of all children in Côte d’Ivoire,” she concludes with a
mischievous smile.
*The month of March was “Zero discrimination against women and girls” day (1st March) and International Women’s Rights Day (8th March). On these occasions, the ATLAS Project chose to highlight the work of Maman Koffi, who, after growing up in a disadvantaged environment, chose not to resign herself and to fight for the health of women, mothers and children.
From 10 to 13 February, all the partners of the ATLAS Project met in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, for the second consortium meeting. While the first meeting, held in July 2019 in Saly, Senegal, clarified the standards, procedures and implementation methodologies, this second edition was an opportunity to make an initial assessment of the progress made as the distribution of HIV self-test kits has begun in the three countries where the project is being implemented, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali and Senegal.
Institutional, implementation and research partners were all gathered to present the progress of their work, their good practices, the difficulties encountered and to reflect on the challenges ahead, particularly in terms of transition and dissemination. As recalled by Dr Blaise Kouamé, representing Professor Eboi Ehui, Director Coordinator of the National AIDS Control Programme in Côte d’Ivoire, “self-screening appears as an opportunity to reach targets that are difficult to reach with routine services. … We are aware that early diagnosis and treatment of HIV infection offers many benefits at both individual and population levels. This second consortium … provides a forum for discussion that will allow us to take stock of the project’s implementation in order to better guide strategies to achieve the objectives. “Objectives are on track, in that all partners have begun dispensing, and are showing increasing dispensing figures: by the end of December 2019, more than 26,000 kits had been dispensed, and all partners have demonstrated their confidence in achieving the objectives by the end of the project. An important part of the consortium meeting was also devoted to research, the various components of which, coordinated by IRD, began in the second half of 2019, and the results of which will feed the operationality of the project. Finally, group work, around three key questions relating to monitoring of self-screening results, notification and delegation of tasks, was organized over half a day in order to reflect together on the main issues for the coming months.
MTV Shuga Babi, our partner in Côte d’Ivoire, presented first season of the show
These meetings between partners remain crucial moments of sharing and exchange in the conduct of the ATLAS project, because its success depends on coordinated and concerted action by all the actors involved. This is a success that everyone hopes to achieve, since access to screening remains the gateway to the other stages of the fight against HIV, access to treatment and viral load control in particular. As emphasized by Dr Brigitte Quenum, UNAIDS Country Director in Côte d’Ivoire, represented by Dr Isabelle Kouamé, “HIV testing gives people the knowledge they need to choose the best treatment options and prevention methods. Knowledge is real power: the power to make the right choices to stay healthy, but also the power to lead a long and productive life. »
The Las Palmas HLM health post in Guediawaye is a small oasis in the hustle and bustle of this densely populated and popular suburb of Dakar, Senegal. Once past the door, this centre resembles a community-based structure like those found far from urban centres and which, far beyond their health mission, also work as a place for meeting, exchange and sharing. As is often the case, the identity of these places is built around those who run them. Here, Mrs Dieumbe Gueye, a midwife in her fifties, has benevolence written in her eyes. The softness of her voice heralds a total devotion to her patients. With word of mouth, the Las Palmas post has quickly become a place where vulnerable people can find a time of peace and empathy. “They know that we are working all the time, and that we take good care of them,” explains Dieumbe Gueye, highlighting the commitment of her team of mediators and nurses.
She has been working at the centre for almost 20 years now. “I used to have ‘stowaways’ in my line of work, and more and more of them, not knowing that they were key populations.” Located in a small, low-traffic street, with a discreet façade and a caring, non-judgemental team, Las Palmas was quickly identified by the most disadvantaged populations as a health, social and economic resource. “I approached my chief, because I was becoming a reference centre for key populations. A year ago, the Las Palmas post officially became a monitoring site for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).” For this woman, who graduated at the top of her class of midwives and worked for a while in the private sector, the personal investment is strong.
“My staff, especially the mediators, need to know the realities on the ground, because we receive many sex workers.” If the first consultations are for a pregnancy or an STI, the care is comprehensive and the follow-up is ensured. Sometimes the follow-up goes far beyond a medical consultation. “If necessary, I help them financially to come to the centre.” Treating patients is a comprehensive approach. Counseling, orientation if necessary, and follow-up are part of her daily life and that of her team. On average, a hundred sex workers consult each month and find confidential and integrated care. “We manage everything ourselves. Sometimes we don’t have enough medicines, but we still have a free stock.” HIV testing is always offered on site. For those who are hesitant, an HIV self-test kit, provided by the ATLAS Project, can be handed over. It is systematically recommended to them for their regular partner, accompanied by counseling: “very good counseling, because that is what guarantees a very good result”. There is no doubt that Dieumbe Gueye and her team, these “devoted mothers”, will continue their mission as long as possible, without any distinction, because as they say, “here, all patients are equal. ”
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