As World AIDS Day approaches, (Dec 1) the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has handed over Nutrition Guidelines for People Living With HIV to Sierra Leone’s National AIDS Secretariat, the first time a document of this kind has been produced in the country.
WFP Country Representative, Christa Räder, said that for people living with HIV, good nutrition is fundamental to effective antiretroviral treatment.
“My message on World Aids Day this year is that treatment, counseling and food supplement deserve equal status in combating HIV and AIDS,” said Ms. Räder. “Now for the first time we have guidelines that are tailor-made for Sierra Leone to help people living with HIV and AIDS understand the importance of good nutrition.” She added that assistance given to families affected by HIV also helps compensate for their loss of income.
The guidelines are specific to Sierra Leone and contain practical recommendations for incorporating the right foods into HIV treatment, based on local resources.
The Deputy Director of Sierra Leone’s National AIDS Secretariat, Abdul Rahman Sesay, supported Ms. Räder’s call for the inclusion of nutrition as an integral component of a comprehensive package for the treatment and care of those living with HIV. “Without proper nutrition, treatment programmes are less successful,” he said.
He assured WFP that the guidelines would be widely disseminated to health staff, counselors and HIV-affected people themselves.
WFP is currently supporting some 3,000 people living with HIV and AIDS as well as their families in 10 districts. It plans to extend its assistance programme into the Bonthe, Kono and Pujehun districts in 2010.
Photo: WFP’s Christa Rader poses with NAS staff.
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