By Yunus S Saliu
Young Gambian Mums and partners – Ministry of Health, Medical Research Council, and National Aids Control Program on Monday, 22nd July began a weeklong training for Peer Mediators on triple elimination – HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B among pregnant women in The Gambia.
The ongoing TRI-MOM project training for Peer Mediators at NaNA Conference Hall in Bakau is supported by L’Initiativeimplemented by Expertise France with the main objective of strengthening the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, Syphilis, and HBV among pregnant women in The Gambia. This is with the expectations of the TRI-MOM Project to identify relevant community themes on triple elimination, enhance peer mediators’ understanding of these infectious diseases, and build their capacity in counseling.
The training was part of a series of capacity-building sessions for Peer Mediators and health workers meant to allow them to facilitate the psychosocial support of women enrolled in the triple elimination program in The Gambia.
In her opening remark, Asta Jobe gave a brief background of Young Gambian Mums (YGM) saying it’s an organization set up for the welfare of women and children, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds in The Gambia.
She said the five-day training under the TRI-MOM project set out to protect the mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B.
However, Ma’am Jobe, again, welcomed the Peer Mediators to the training while outlining YGM and TRI-MOM project expectations saying the trainees will not only understand the requirements of the job but will also work closely with members of the team from the Medical Research Council (MRC), National Aids Control Program (NACP), social workers, and hepatitis program to come out with a plan or strategy to implement this program.
She, therefore, tasked them to take the training seriously as YGM would like to hear about the current challenges facing the various sectors where the work has begun and how Peer Mediators and the rest of the team can complement one another while encouraging them to consume all the knowledge, ask questions and share opinions.
In conclusion, she thanked Ma’am Lauren Perieres for all the support she has given to the TRI-MOM.
Dr. Gibril Ndow from MRC spoke extensively and disclosed that the MRC coordinating the TRI-MOM in The Gambia through an integrated study with the Ministry of Health through the National Hepatitis Control Program and National Aids Control Program with other partners including Bundung, Brikama, Bwiam Hospitals and Banjulinding Health Center alongside the YGM.
He noted that whatever is achieved from the program will be helpful to Gambian women while emphasizing that every pregnant woman in The Gambia is screened for HIV and it is no longer an issue, “we have seen a significant decline in the transmission of HIV from mothers to child.”
However, alongside HIV, he said, other infections affect 10 times more people in The Gambia than HIV which can also be transmitted from a mother to a child are “hepatitis B and syphilis which is not also as common.”
Awa Mendy, speaking on behalf of Ousman Bah, program manager for NACP expressed gladness for her institution to be associated with the training meant to enhance Peer Mediators’ capacity to provide effective counseling to people.
She commended those who took part in the study saying, they played a key role in the prevention and management of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B infections “because it provides a platform to educate individuals about the mode of transmission, risk factors, and preventative measures.”
Through counseling, individuals can learn how to protect themselves from contracting these infections through safe sex practices, harm reduction strategies, and vaccination for the hepatitis B virus.
She said, “Counselling also helps individuals understand the importance of getting tested for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B. Also, it helps to alleviate the fear and reduce stigma associated with testing.”
Before declaring the training open, Sheriff Badjie, Program Manager for Hepatitis said HIV is one of the challenges that they have today taking into consideration the stigmatization.
He reiterated that some of the diseases as mentioned by previous speakers are all associated with sex, and disclosure of status to partners among others is always a challenge when it comes to HIV.
Meanwhile, he urged the organization to support mothers regarding disclosure of their status thus they have to speak out about the challenges they are facing while encouraging the trainees to be focused as the training continues.