MOBILE VCT AND CLINIC

In May 2003, CHRESO began the first ever, unprecedented VCT project called Mobile VCT. This is the first time and many agencies and donors and local NGOs are looking at how and if Chreso will succeed in the project. We are currently looking at ways of making this project viable and stay on for a little longer time. The mobile VCT has proven to be successful especially that it is based on notions that if people cannot access your services, access the people. We are taking the service right at the doorstep. We are present in each of the six Lusaka rural communities (Mphandika, Kalundu, Chanzanga, Kabanana, Christian Voice, Kashima). We go to each of these at least once a week. Recently (January 2006), we added two more places for mobile VCT: Ellensdale farm block and Makeni

ART CLINIC

In December 2004, Chreso became the first NGO to be registered as an HIV/AIDS treatment center where antiretroviral drugs are provided to the general public free of charge. Emphasis has been put on those who are economically handicapped.

In the same year (2004), we began another Mobile VCT in about six branches of Siavonga constituency in Siavonga of Souhtern Province. We are already on the ground providing outreach and awareness campaigns with two bases at Kariba stores and Mubuyu Christian Academy (the school owned by Chreso). The ART clinic offers free consultations, free drugs, free laboratory investigations (CD4, Viral Load, HBC, LFT, GOT, etc). The Anti-retroviral Therapy and Voluntary Counseling and Testing centre for people with HIV has been in existence since 2000, though HIV counseling was done even before the formal establishment of the centre.

The clinic has grown from one employee in 2000 to 24 employees by July 2005. These employees include accountants, doctors, clinicians, nurses, counsellors, laboratory technicians, pharmacy technicians, public health personnel and IT specialists. Currently, the clinic has more than 1200 patients actively receiving ARVs, with over 1,100 having been registered, waiting to be put on treatment when they meet the eligibility criteria. We also have the following:

Support Group for People on ART
Adoption of Garbage Collection Site Workers with their household and provide to them free medical care including ART