HEALTHCARE

World’s AIDS Day Programming

Partnership with Mercy Michael to provide resources for people living with AIDS in Nasarawa, Nigeria.

About 15% of people with HIV still do not know they are infected with the virus. As of 2021, five million, or 13% of people living with HIV/AIDS are in Western and Central Africa. This burden of HIV/AIDS diagnosis is disproportionately carried by people with little to no access to healthcare and education resources that can provide early and consistent treatment, and also improve health outcomes. MKF has had the opportunity to bridge this gap by bringing awareness to such communities about HIV/AIDS diagnosis, prevention and treatment.. By partnering with The Mercy Michael Foundation, a grassroot organization in Nigeria, we have been able to offer free HIV/AIDS testing, free contraceptives, counseling, and linkage to care. Out of the 166 people that were tested, five people were positive ( 4 new, 1 previously known), yielding a positivity rate of 3%. Four of them were successfully linked to care. Through our efforts, we are continuing the fight to help end health inequities caused by HIV/AIDS, as well as promoting safer habits to aid in prevention.