Persons living with HIV urged to improve their diets

 In those challenging times during a global pandemic, HIV+ people need to focus more than ever on living healthy lives. Public health officials advised that being part of a support group transforms the lives of people affected and guarantees healthier living. Speaking during the event, Mme Echumbe Florence, who is living with HIV, said that ever since she became a member of the Help Out support group in Mutengene (South West Region of Cameroon), her life has changed tremendously. After suffering from the stigma associated with her diagnosis, she has now left shame behind and lives a happier life, thanks to the support she gets from her group.

With that in mind, over 300 people living with HIV have met at the chapel of the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services Complex (CBCHSCs) recently for their 2020 support group conference. The event was held under the theme “Let’s fight Covid- 19”. During the event, they have been urged to improve their diets and to take their medication regularly, now more than ever before as a result of Covid-19. For PLWHIV, diet is one of the keys to maintain good health and build up their immune systems and should go hand in hand with taking antiretroviral drugs as prescribed. The Supervisor of the Nutrition Improvement Program at the CBCHS, Nkwou Godlove, says the diets of persons living with HIV depends a lot on their geographical location. Based on where a PLWHIV is, he/she can be taught effectively about balanced diets to adopt.

The support group conference 2020 for PLWHIV was an opportunity for them to meet again and be informed of the latest innovations in HIV research, as well as being reminded of important advice to stay healthy with HIV.

By Frida Leyina VOMA