Electronic Bulletin of the Swiss platform on HIV/AIDS and international Cooperation

August 2010

on the initiative of fepa, the Fund for Development and Partnership in Africa – a partner organisation of aidsfocus.ch -, aidsfocus.ch organises a Meeting Point on 9 September 2010 in Bern with a guest from Zimbabwe: with Farai Mahaso, Coordinator of the Batanai HIV and AIDS Service Organisation. Titled „Good food – good health“, Farai talks about the relevance of nutrition for people living with HIV and AIDS, shares with us the experiences, strategies and advocacy of Batanai on the issue. There will be much time and space for questions and for the active sharing of information, knowledge and experience. This sharing event aims at sensitizing on the relevance and complexity of the issue of HIV, AIDS and nutrition and at gaining knowledge and inspirations for one’s own work. (More information below and on our website www.aidsfocus.ch )

I would be very pleased to see you at the next aidsfocus.ch Meeting Point in Bern, With best regards

Helena Zweifel Coordinator aidsfocus.ch Executive director Medicus Mundi Switzerland

Bern | The relevance of nutrition for people living with HIV and AIDS is the topic discussed at the upcoming Meeting Point. Farai Mahaso shares strategies and experiences of the Bantanai HIV and AIDS Service Organisation, Zimbabwe, a partner of fepa.

Good nutrition can help to maintain and improve the health and the quality of life of people living with HIV and AIDS. It can delay the progression from HIV to AIDS-related diseases. However, good nutrition cannot cure AIDS or prevent HIV infection or be a substitute for antiretroviral treatment. A healthy and balanced diet helps to maintain and improve the performance of the immune system and therefore helps a person to stay healthy. Good nutrition will complement and reinforce the effect of any medication taken.

Farai Mahaso, coordinator of the Batanai HIV and AIDS Service Organisation will share with us experiences and strategies in Zimbabwe. Helena Zweifel, coordinator of aidsfocus.ch and executive director of the network Medicus Mundi Switzerland will facilitate the discussion on the following issues:

• How does Batanai deal with the demand for a healthy and balanced diet for people living with HIV and AIDS in Zimbabwe, especially in areas with a low resource base and food shortage? • What role does nutrition play in the support of people living with HIV? How do home based vegetable and herbal gardens contribute to the wellbeing of people living with HIV and AIDS? • What does Batanai do on the relevance of nutrition in the HIV response on the advocacy level?

All persons interested in the issues of health and nutrition are most welcome to participate and share ideas and experiences.

Time and venue: 14.15-16.45, Afro-European Medical and Research Network (AEMRN), Neuengasse 8 (4th floor), 3011 Bern (5 min. from the station, exit Neuengasse).

Registration: info@aidsfocus.ch (Registration not required, but helps organising)

http://www.aidsfocus.ch
http://www.bhaso.org
http://www.fepafrika.ch

Partners: Afro-European Medical and Research Network, AIDS & Child, Bethlehem Mission Immensee, Caritas Switzerland, cinfo, CO-OPERAID, Déclaration de Berne, Doctors without Borders, Esperanza Medicines Foundation, FEPA, Fédération Genevoise de Coopération, Gemeinschaft St. Anna-Schwestern, HEKS, IAMANEH Switzerland, INTERTEAM, Kindernothilfe Schweiz, Kwa Wazee, medico international Switzerland, mediCuba-Suisse, missio, REPSSI, SolidarMed, Swiss Aids Care International, Swiss Aids Federation, missio, mission 21, Swiss Aids Care International, Swiss Catholic Lenten Fund, Swiss MIVA, Swiss Red Cross, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Tear Fund, Terre des hommes Foundation, terre des hommes schweiz, and World Vision Switzerland.

http://www.aidsfocus.ch