A Non-Governmental Organisation in Migori County has been training HIV/AIDS patients with improved farming techniques and HIV/AIDS health services.
The Executive Director of Lake Victoria Initiatives and a survivor of the HIV/AIDS Peter Gwengi said that the Ripple Effects Kenya NGO has been training farmers on improved farming methods and giving out HIV/AIDS services to the survivors to ensure that they live a healthier and longer life.
He noted that the improved farming techniques like water-harvesting, crop rotation and fruit grafting have increased food production and improved nutrition that play a critical role in the HIV/AIDS patient’s balanced diet.
Gwengi noted that these improved farming methods have helped HIV/AIDS patients to supplement their dietary needs.
He said that the improved farming activities have also enabled the HIV/AIDS farmers to generate income as well as have food sustainability for their wellbeing.
“There has been a lot of improvement since the inception of the farming technologies in terms of adherence to treatment by bringing back those who had given up on dietary,” noted Gwengi.
Gwengi also noted that the Ripple Effect NGO has been providing HIV Testing Services (HTS) and free consultations to provide a unique opportunity and a rapid lifesaving treatment for the effective recommendation and prevention services to individuals to remain negative or live positively.
A representative for the Ripple Effect NGO Hamisi Hassan noted that the improved farming methods have enabled HIV/AIDS farmers to have a variety of crops that included fruits and vegetables and security crops like yams and arrowroots to boost their immune system and provide balanced nutrients.
He noted that HIV/AIDS patients could now take a balanced diet right from their gardens on a daily basis without incurring extra costs of buying foodstuffs from the improved farming methods.
The official added that apart from the improved farming techniques training, the NGO was also providing provisions of hygiene and sanitation intervention that included proper drainage, toilet construction and dish stands, and litter pits aimed at preventing diseases like typhoid and cholera.
Hassan said that his organisation had ensured health intervention of Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) to exposed HIV individuals to prevent the spread of the virus.
He said that the Ripple Effect would continue to do community outreach together with other partners like the Beyond Zero Campaign initiative that provides screening services for cervical cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes and other primary health care.
By Geoffrey Makokha
