Nutrition and peer support for HIV+ patients

As the world continues to feel the impacts of COVID-19, nutrition and peer support for HIV-positive patients are more important than ever. As always, an important part of GAIA’s mission is to provide support (in many contexts) to people living with HIV. GAIA’s work providing food to the Sikoro community is crucial in this time, as COVID-19 has made it more difficult for many Malians to obtain healthy food.

When asked about the risks and effects of COVID-19 on people living with HIV, Dr. Gulick at Michigan State University said that, “when properly treated, HIV-positive patients are at no greater risk of contracting COVID-19, but that his patients are suffering from isolation and further stigmatization during this time.” 

Although COVID-19 has complicated the ability to provide in-person peer support, Hope Center Clinic is still running the weekly Nutrition Program, providing healthy food for the Sikoro community. Social distancing measures are in place so that these essential food distribution events can continue. It is vital that we keep distributing food to communities in need so that people are healthy, able to take care of themselves, and able to adhere to medication regimens. 

Please consider donating to GAIA, as we work to provide food for HIV+ patients and other community members. Food security is more important now than ever, and we are working to ensure that HIV-positive patients and other community members have the nutrition to sustain themselves and their families during this pandemic.