Medical Missionaries of Mary (MMM)
Ethiopiaid has been working with Medical Missionaries of Mary (MMM) since 1994 to address the huge problem of HIV/AIDs in Ethiopia.
It is estimated that 2.2 million people are living with HIV in Ethiopia. Transmission of the virus is widespread because many sufferers are not even aware they are infected.
In 2005, the Ethiopian Government decided to offer Anti RetroViral (ARV) drugs which help control the virus free of charge. This is a huge and long-awaited step in the country's fight against HIV/AIDs. With Ethiopiaid's support, MMM's aim is to maximise the use and effectiveness of these drugs.
MMM run a laboratory which is used for both diagnosis and treatment of the disease. In 2006, Ethiopiaid donated money for a CD-4 blood count machine to improve their testing facilities. MMM can now provide a full HIV-diagnostic service to their beneficiaries.
Ethiopiaid has now pledged to fund a pilot scheme where selected people on low income will receive a complete HIV management package.
Patients will be offered counseling on arrival to help them through the testing process. If they are found to be infected, they can be referred directly to local hospitals for ARVs without the need for re-testing. To ensure these drugs are used to best effect, the staff at MMM then monitor the patient to ensure that the medication is being taken correctly in addition to providing continual care and support where needed.
This integrated approach, which takes into account the social needs of patients, is not something that the Ethiopian Healthcare system is able to offer. If successful, the scheme will be rolled out to other districts of Addis Ababa.
MMM also run an HIV education program for schools and organisations in their district. The project staff have found that general awareness on transmission and prevention is relatively high. Therefore, they concentrate on lesser known issues including the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) and misconceptions relating to ARV usage, such as the belief that you must stop taking ARV medication if you wish to go to Holy Water.
With Ethiopiaid's support, MMM are able to tackle HIV/AIDs in Ethiopia from all angles; prevention, detection and treatment. We aim to help MMM make the most of the government's decision to provide ARV drugs but we can only continue to do this with your support.