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The ACTION Project
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ACTION Project?
- ACTION is a multi-disciplinary care and treatment
program designed to help patients live positively
with HIV.
- ACTION patients meet with a team of care providers
including nurses, doctors, and counselors who give
high-quality care and support to people infected and
affected by HIV.
- All care and support is completely confidential.
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With whom is ACTION affiliated?
ACTION has the following partners:
- Institute of Human Virology
- Institute of Human Virology-Nigeria
- United States Centers for Disease Control-Nigeria
Country Office
- Federal Government of Nigeria National Action Committee
on AIDS
- Federal Government of Nigeria Ministry of Health
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What can ACTION do for me?
- HIV testing: ACTION provides free and confidential
HIV counseling and testing services.
- HIV treatment: ACTION provides comprehensive care
to patients living with HIV. Treatment includes antiretroviral
therapy, opportunistic infection management (for example,
tuberculosis treatment), and palliative care.
- HIV care: ACTION counselors meet with patients and
their families to help them integrate HIV treatment
in their lives. In addition, support groups meet regularly
at ACTION sites to create a community of people living
positively with HIV.
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How do I get tested?
ACTION sites provide voluntary counseling and testing
at all locations. HIV testing is a quick, simple process:
- Counselors meet with the patients to educate them
about HIV, risk factors, and the testing process.
- After counseling, the HIV test is administered.
The technician administering the counseling takes
a bit of blood (usually from a finger-prick), and
the test gives results in about fifteen minutes.
- After the test, the counselor meets with the patient
to answer any questions and refer the patient to treatment,
if necessary.
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Where do I get tested?
All of the ACTION sites provide voluntary counseling
and HIV testing services. There are ACTION sites in
Abuja, Kano, Nnewi, Calabar, and Benin City (see list
of hospitals below). In addition, many STD clinics around
the country also provide HIV testing.
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Where are ACTION treatment centers?
ACTION currently has seven sites providing HIV care
and treatment. Clinics exist at the following hospitals:
- Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano
- Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital, FCT
- National Hospital, FCT
- Asokoro Hospital, FCT
- Nnamdi Azikwe University Teaching Hospital, Anambra
- University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Edo
- University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Cross
Rivers.
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Is there a cost for HIV treatment?
If an adult patient requires anti-retroviral treatment,
there is a fee of N1000 per month. Treatment costs for
children vary for each clinic, but it is no more than
N500 per month.
In cases of financial need, the fee can be waived.
No one is turned away from treatment due to inability
to pay.
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There is a lot of stigma attached
to HIV, so I don’t want anyone to know I have
it. Can I still get treated?
ACTION staff is aware of the stigma and discrimination
still facing those who live with HIV.
All care and records are completely confidential.
Our staff is trained to help patients deal with the
stigma of infection and the difficulty of disclosure.
Support groups at each site create a safe community
of people living positively with HIV. The Network of
People Living Well with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPHWAN)
coordinates several more support groups. They can be
contacted at nephwan@nephwan.com.
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What is required of me to start antiretroviral
treatment?
When you come to an ACTION clinic, the doctor will
perform some laboratory tests and a physical examination
to see if you are eligible for anti-retroviral treatment.
If you are clinically eligible, there are still other
considerations before you start treatment.
- Anti-retroviral drugs have to be taken strictly
at certain time intervals, and they sometimes have
food requirements. The prescriptions must be followed
closely in order for the medicines to work. If you
start treatment but don’t follow the directions
closely, HIV can become resistant to the drugs you
are taking, which will limit your future treatment
options. Work with your doctor to find a regimen which
you can fit into your lifestyle.
- Anti-retroviral treatment is a lifelong commitment.
You must be ready to commit to taking your drugs before
you start.
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How do I cope with lifelong treatment?
Before you start treatment, work with your doctor to
find a regimen that you can fit into your lifestyle.
Some drug combinations only need to be taken once or
twice a day.
Once you start medication, keep an open dialogue with
your doctor about the effects of treatment. Never stop
taking your medication because of its side effects!
Talk to your doctor about the side effects; he or she
may be able to prescribe something to help, or she may
switch your medications to something more tolerable.
Work with your care team to ensure that you remain
healthy—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
The ACTION team is here to help you live positively.
Join a support group and become part of a community
of people living positively. You are not alone with
this disease, and other people can share the lessons
they have learned with treatment, disclosure, and other
issues you may face as a person living with HIV.
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How do I cope with anti-retroviral
treatment side effects?
Some people experience difficulties with HIV treatment.
ACTION doctors have experience helping patients work
through the difficulties of anti-retroviral treatment.
If you are experiencing side effects from your drugs,
come to the clinic and see your doctor. He can help
you deal with the side effects or change your treatment
regimen, if needed. DON’T STOP TAKING YOUR MEDICINE!
Doing so could result in a resistant form of the virus.
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Where can I get more information
about HIV?
ACTION produces educational materials on HIV and also
provides classes on HIV and other issues. Ask your counselor
about meetings at your clinic. If you have access to
the internet, there are also websites that provide information
about HIV. This is only a selection:
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Where can I get more information
about the ACTION Project?
The ACTION Project
The Institute of Human Virology-Nigeria
Penthouse, Maina Court
Plot 252, Herbert Macaulay Way, Central Business District
P.O. Box 9396
Garki, Abuja
Office: 09-234-0472 / 0473 / 0474 |
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