The Role of Home based Care and the Church from the beginning of the Epidemic until Now

Dr Clement Chela National AIDS Council Zambia

The Church caring for the sick and the vulnerable

In Luke 10:34 the Good Samaritan went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them. In Luke 10:35 'Take good care of him. If you spend more than that, I'll repay you when I come back.' The disciples in Luke 10:37 answered Jesus correctly "The one who showed mercy to the wounded man," Jesus told them to, "Go and do what the Good Samaritan did." The Church in James 1:27 a definition for true religion is: one that takes care of orphans and widows who are suffering, and to keeps oneself unstained by the world.

History of home based care and the Church

Home based care The Salvation Army Chikankata Hospital in the Southern Province under the leadership of the Chief Medical Officer Dr Ian Campbell The Ndola Diocese Home based care programme began in 1991 as a Catholic Church group that visited and treated ill church members or their friends and family members at home

Multidisciplinary Teams
A team of doctors, clinical officers, nurses, counsellors and health educators other support staff such as drivers Experimented on how to care for patients with HIV/AIDS in the community by following patients in their homes after hospital discharge

Model of Home based Care

Clinical care and treatment, counselling and testing, spiritual support, health education and social support with blankets, nutritional and food supplements Depended upon the involvement of family members in the care of the ill patient and referral to hospital, when the need arose, for the provision of advanced care and treatment services.

Spreading Model of Home based Care

Monthly five-day seminar primarily for health professionals and others from within Zambia and the region involved in or needed to start AIDS care and prevention programmes The seminar provided an integrative approach covering such disciplines as counselling, clinical care, education; pastoral care and administration based on the practical, fieldbased AIDS care and prevention programmes

Other Strategies for Rolling out the model

Ndola model used volunteers, partnered by local NGOs, community groups, the District Health Management Team, private hospitals and the victim support unit of the Zambia Police and well-wishers The success of the two examples of home care was important in extending the service to other areas of the country Government took up the strategy and encouraged other groups to use the models and conducted cost effective research for the basis of the models of home based care

Churches Health Association of Zambias (CHAZ)

The Churches Health Association of Zambias (CHAZ) is a Christian interdenominational organisation of church health institutions and community health programmes that is committed to serving communities with holistic quality health services, so that people live healthy and productive lives to the Glory of God. Their motto is taken directly from Luke 9:2, then he sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

The National Framework for HIV and AIDS Interventions and Home Based Care in Zambia Increase the number of health centre catchment areas with a functional home based care programme from 300 in 2005 to 750 by 2010; Increase number of AIDS patients accessing home based care from 57,000 in 2005 to 200,000 by 2010;

The Role of Home Based Care in the Era of ARVs

In the era of ARVs the role of home based care may have had some dilution as clients are not as sick as before and do not needs as much follow-up and treatment. It is however important to continue home care services as these still provide support for patient who are ill and could support individuals wanting VCT services