03
Mar
2007
03 - Mar - 2007
Blantyre, Malawi – Tenth Pan-African DREAM formation course launched
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On 1 March 2007, the tenth Pan-African DREAM course was launched in Blantyre, Malawi. This is the second such course to be held in the country. The Health Minister Marjorie Ngaunje was present as well as the archbishop of Blantyre, Mgr Ziyaye, the director of the HIV and nutrition department, the president of Blantyre District, the rector of the College of Medicine and many other representatives of the health and civil authorities. |
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The opening saw the participation of around 200 people including the 120 course participants who came from several African countries (Kenya, Tanzania, Lesotho, Guinea Conakry, Mozambique and Nigeria) and many invited Malawians, including guests from the local health authorities (districts, health centres and the central hospital). DREAM is fast becoming one of most significant cultural agencies about AIDS in the country. |
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Among those who addressed the opening ceremony was Passemu, a campaigner from Mtengo wa Ntenga centre (Lilongwe – Malawi). He testified how a dream, that of the DREAM programme, can become reality in the concreteness of so many sick and stigmatized people who have rediscovered the full meaning of their life thanks to treatment. |
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The health minister also dwelt upon the human factor of treatment and the importance of restoring confidence and strength to many sick people. This is a feature of DREAM that is realized through three health centres and two laboratories, which were set up in just over one year. She drew attention to the participative aspect of treatment that actively involves sick people and the different partnerships and structures operating throughout the country. |
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Significantly, around 50 “campaigners” coming from Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania and Mozambique, apart from Malawi itself, are taking part in the course. Their role in the centres is becoming ever more important as they act as mediators between patients and structures and treatment offered. |
Ambito