After two weeks in the hospital and multiple tests, doctors could not find the cause of the prolonged infection ravaging Ann’s small body. Just 6 years old, she was experiencing a persistent fever, sweating, delayed development, poor weight gain, and stunted physical growth – and she was not responding to treatment.
When Mugo Ndung’u, the medical social worker in Isiolo, visited her, he recommended an HIV test. To her mother’s surprise, the test was positive.
Upon receiving the results, Ann and her mother were connected to a Kiunga CHV, who was stationed at the hospital, for counseling. After two sessions with our CHV, Ann's mother also tested for HIV and found that her results were positive too.
After one month on ARVs, Ann’s health has made a remarkable improvement.
At first it was hard for the mother to absorb this information, but with the help of the health care workers, she understood the best way to care for herself and her child. Ann and her mother were both enrolled in treatment and the mother was linked to a Kiunga support group in her local community, where she is able to process and normalize their new reality while relating to other group members who are in a similar situation.
Just one month later, Ann’s health improved and she started developing normally. Her mother is so excited about the progress of her daughter, especially her weight gain. And now that Ann is happily back home with her family, her mother, a farmer, is able to once again travel to a neighboring county where she can produce food for the family.
Ann, at home with her father and older siblings.
With the support and tools gained from the Kiunga support group, both mother and daughter are thriving!