HIV/Hep B Clinic

Yesterday, we held a clinic to perform HIV and Hepatitis B screening tests for all the students and staff at OAVI.  I was a bit concerned about how the students would react.  I so wanted a positive outcome.  I chose not to inform them about the screening before hand. So after our morning devotional, I spoke to them about the importance of knowledge and prevention when it comes to their health.  I was so surprised when I informed them of what we were going to do, they actually clapped and were excited.

Volunteers from the area turned out to assist us with this project.  We had 5 other nurses and a pharmacist who assisted us.  We performed 226 HIV screenings, 215 Hep B screenings, administered 175 hepatitis B vaccines and gave out de-wormer to all.  We did identify a hand-full of HIV and about 40 Hep B screenings which will need further testing.  I will be performing follow-up testing for these students soon.

With the help of these volunteers and the orderly participation of the students, the day went very smoothly and was completed in a little less than 4 hours.

This is a picture of all the students gathered for the clinic.

We had the students sign in by department to keep the flow moving in an organizaed fashion.  .

Each person registered and received a number.  After this point, all testing and documentation was performed by number only....no names.  This was for confidentiality.  I will be the only one with access to the names, numbers and results.

As you can see by Lydia's face, the students were excited to have this testing offered for them.

If it was appropriate for them to receive the Hepatitis B vaccine, we administered them.  Of course, this vaccine consists on 3 doses, so we will administer the next doses in November and then March 2012.

After the students completed the testing and received there vaccine, they also received a de-wormer medication.  In Ghana, it is optimal to receive a de-wormer every 3 months.

We had 4 testing stations to help speed up the process.  Each test takes 15 minutes to develop prior to reading.

Of course, there are alway a few who are fearful of receiving shots.  However, we were able to comfort them and no one had any adverse reactions or fainted!

This clinic was successful because of many who donated time and monies.  Many thanks to the nurses and pharmacist who donated their day, to Liberty Movement Organization who donated the HIV testing kits, once again to the pharmacist who donated the Hep B testing kits and my church family in the U.S. who donated money which I used to purchase the vaccines and de-wormer.  God brings us all together to help those who are in need.  Glory be to God.

I Corinthians 12:27-28  Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.  And in the church, God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.