In a country like South Africa where 5 million adults are infected, HIV disease is having an overwhelming effect on children. In KwaZuluNatal, 36.5% of pregnant women attending for antenatal care are HIV positive, increasing to greater than 50% in some parts of the province. 600,000 babies are born with HIV each year in South Africa.

Yet for many of those children, access to appropriate care and support is limited. Two programmes in Kwa Zulu Natal have ensured that care and support is reaching families affected by HIV in rural, remote parts of the province - South Coast Hospice in Port Shepstone and Church of Scotland Hospital in Tugela Ferry have trained Home Based Carers to provide essential care and support in these areas.

As the Home Based Carers encounter an increasing number of children infected with HIV, it is vital that they have appropriate training. In collaboration with Enhancing Care Initiative and with funding from the British High Commission, Africaid developed and implemented a Paediatric HIV Palliative Care Training Manual for Home Based Carers.    

Click here to download the manual