Our own previous research, clearly showed that Sub-Saharan African communities prefer HIV tests to be brought to their communities. Therefore in 2009 we launched outreach HIV testing sessions. The current Swab2know project continues to respond to this demand by offering oral fluid HIV testing in the different communities. This initiative has been supported by of the City of Antwerp. A team from the HIV-SAM Project and Helpcenter-ITM attends events hosted by Sub-Saharan African organizations, church services and visits bars and offers free, de-medicalized HIV testing and counseling on the spot. We use saliva HIV tests (oral fluid collection devices) which do not require a needle prick or blood sample. Participants can collect their test a week later at Helpcenter-ITM or via a secured website, according to their personal preference. In addition, HIV test kits can also be ordered online.
Our workshop “living with HIV” starts again in June. The workshops consist of a series of 4 sessions that will continue in June. What: sessions on how to deal with your HIV status. The sessions are intended for people who are HIV positive. Childcare can be arranged if this is requested in advance. When: 2.16, …
Interactive workshop HIV stigma Afrika FilmFestival
What: HIV-related stigma is still persistent around the world with a lot of consequences for the people living with HIV, both on an individual level as community level. Dr. Lazare Manirankunda did research about HIV-related stigma in the sub-Saharan African community and will share his results with us. Afterwards we’ll go into discussion with each other …
One of our HIV-sam ambassadors attented the ILGA conference in Warshaw. Read about her impressions and her experiences below. An amazing and breathtaking conference was held in Warsaw, Poland with the focus on CHANGE. The main goal was mobilising communities, whether sub-Saharan communities or not, and assuring the rise of movements. The conference was about homophobic …
The HIV-Sam project is organising workshops for sub-Saharan Africans who were (recently) diagnosed with HIV. The workshop wants to: – discuss how to deal with this diagnosis. – answer questions you have about this diagnosis. – create a safe environment in which stories can be shared. This workshop consists of 5 modules. The first module …
Muungano members co-create a communication tool on living well with HIV
In collaboration with the HIV-SAM project of ITM, Ipropeller, and Clarice illustrations, members of Muungano association co-created a brochure entitled “ Understanding HIV in order to live well with it”. The distinguishing mark of this brochure is that it has been created by people living with HIV themselves. “Cet brochure est notre histoire” remarked on …
Who are we? The Project supports HIV prevention and sexual health promotion with Sub-Saharan African Migrants (SAM) in Flanders. Together with the Sub-Saharan African communities and their leaders we develop, implement and evaluate targeted HIV prevention campaigns. We also support sub-Saharan African people living with HIV. Profile Volunteers are an important resource for our prevention …
What health care for undocumented migrants in Belgium
Just before Christmas the KCE (Federaal Kenniscentrum voor de Gezondheidszorg) published KCE Report 257A, a report on urgent medical aid for undocumented migrants in Belgium. Undocumented migrants do not have the necessary papers to reside legally in the country. In compliance with the international treaties, ratified by Belgium, they are entitled though to the so …
Witboek over de machtiging tot verblijf om medische redenen (9ter)
Het Witboek geeft een zicht op de wettelijke bepalingen in het kader van de 9ter procedure en de huidige praktijk van de Dienst Vreemdelingenzaken. Het kwam tot stand nadat een aantal praktijkbeoefenaars uit de medische, juridische en associatieve sector (o.a. Medimmigrant) dezelfde bekommernissen leken de te delen over het lot van ernstig zieke vreemdelingen die …
Dépistage décentralisé et démédicalisé du VIH en Belgique : réponse à une demande d’avis émanant des autorités de santé publique. Cet avis vise à formuler des recommandations précises quant aux circonstances exactes dans lesquelles sera effectué le dépistage du VIH décentralisé et démédicalisé en Belgique. Celles-ci s’adressent aux autorités de santé publique belges, aux professionnels …
