Home > All articles  Your advertisement here   HelpAge International gets grant to support older HIV/AIDS carers in Vietnam HelpAge International has received a grant of £465,730 from the Big Lottery Fund for a project in Vietnam, to support older people affected by HIV/AIDS.   The project will run for the next four years in four provinces in Vietnam, Hanoi, Nam Dinh, Thai Nguyen and Quang Ninh. These areas have amongst the highest number of recorded HIV/AIDS cases in the country. Older people are playing an increasing crucial role in these HIV/AIDS affected households by taking on the role of carer and primary breadwinner.   Project activities will run in 60 communities in partnership with Vietnam Women’s Union, Vietnam Association of the Elderly, Research Centre for Ageing Support, STD/HIV/AIDS Prevention Centre and the Thai Nguyen Medical College. Clubs for People Affected by HIV/AIDS (CPAHA) will be set up that provide a place for older people to share experiences; establish support mechanisms; talk about the stigma of living with AIDS; and provide access to health and income generating services.   “I suffer greatly from the stigma of AIDS”   At a recent meeting in Vietnam to find out about older people’s experience of caring for an HIV/AIDS relative, an older woman told HelpAge International about the stigma she faces: “My niece lives with me and is like a daughter to me. She is HIV positive through her drug addiction, which was diagnosed when she gave birth to her daughter. I suffer greatly from the stigma, even from family members. Usually when a child is born many people come to visit the house to congratulate the family. This time no-one came to celebrate.”   The aims of the project are to: Ensure older people, their dependents and communities have reduced risk of contracting HIV Ensure that older people, their families and people living with HIV/AIDS benefit from improved health through increased access to home-based and clinical care.   HelpAge International Director of Programmes, Silvia Stefanoni said: “AIDS has a huge social and economic impact on older people. This project will provide older people with the support and money they need as carers of AIDS orphans and those affected by HIV/AIDS.”       By Help the Age Date 25-05-2005 Print this news| Send to a friend Your advertisement here