We all know that HIV and, more recently, COVID-19 continue to pose serious challenges in our communities, impacting families both here in the UK and abroad. While it is crucial to support those living with HIV and those affected by COVID-19, our efforts must also focus on prevention and education. Health Action Charity Organisation (HACO) is deeply committed to raising awareness about how to prevent the spread of both viruses, helping to mitigate their negative impact on our community’s health and well-being.
Established in 2003 as a charitable organisation in the Kent area, HACO has been a steadfast advocate for health education and support, particularly for members of African communities in Kent and Medway. We have worked tirelessly to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and other health-related issues while providing essential support to individuals and families in need. Our collaboration with the Medway Public Health Team has been instrumental in our mission, and our work is highly valued by local authorities and community members alike.
One of the most pressing concerns is that many people, especially those living in rural communities across Africa, have not yet received culturally relevant HIV prevention messages. Addressing this gap is critical in many African countries. To tackle this challenge, HACO has partnered with NOAF, a charity organisation based in Nigeria, to carry out comprehensive health promotion and HIV awareness campaigns in the rural regions of Edo State. Our aim is to provide accessible and meaningful education while being sensitive to the cultural and social dynamics of these communities.
We recognize that discussing HIV is often a delicate matter, and our approach is to engage with the most affected populations thoughtfully and respectfully. It is crucial to ensure that our efforts do not make these communities feel targeted or stigmatized. Instead, we focus on empowering them with knowledge and resources, fostering an environment of inclusivity and respect.
Furthermore, for people with physical and psychological disabilities, the right to equitable treatment is fundamental. At HACO, we are committed to upholding the dignity of every individual, ensuring that our health initiatives do not reinforce differences or marginalize anyone but instead promote equal access to care and information. Our ongoing efforts aim to build healthier, more resilient communities, both locally and internationally, through compassionate and culturally aware health promotion.
The HIV virus is a very particular type of disability, not visible but arousing a lot of emotions that may be very hard to control in Kent, the most significant increase in the number of HIV infections is occurring amongst African communities. Black Africans make up around 1% of Medway’s population yet account for almost 62% of diagnosed HIV infection . There is also evidence of particularly high levels of undiagnosed HIV infection amongst African communities in UK.
Much more needs to be done about HIV/AIDS education and prevention for African young men, women and children.
Despite being at much higher risk of being affected by HIV than individuals from other groups, and making up the largest proportion of new diagnoses each year, individuals from African communities are not accessing equal levels of support from health and social care services, or those offered by mainstream HIV organisations. According to the Health Protection Agency, “Undiagnosed HIV infection and late diagnosis of long-standing HIV infection continue to be a feature of the treatment histories of [African] men and women” [Nov 2003].
HACO work with the African communities in Medway/Kent to significantly improve access to these services by tackling the recognised and evidenced major causes of this disparity and to improve their sexual health.