Affiliations Jesuit, Catholic | Website Yezu Mwiza | |
Motto A nation that wants to live. Established 2000; 17 years ago (2000) Location Bubanza Avenue 11
Bujumbura, Burundi Remarks Persons living with HIV/AIDS are not disabled: they are able to produce and contribute to the integral development of society. | ||
Service Yezu Mwiza (SYM) in Burundi is a part of the Jesuit outreach to fight AIDS/HIV in Africa, and has expanded to other health services. SYM uses mobile clinics to reach the people with its efforts at prevention, care, and psychosocial support.
History
In 2000 SYM took over the Jesuit Refugee Service efforts in Burundi among refugees from civil war, and has been a part of the African Jesuit AIDS Network (AJAN) since its founding in 2002. Since 2008 SYM has worked out of its headquarters at Bubanza Avenue 11, Bujumbura, to promote the overall health of the population by the comprehensive care of HIV/AIDS and TB/HIV, the fight against malaria, the promotion of reproductive health for mothers, and the care of chronic diseases. It also builds homes for the families of victims. With the approval of the Ministry of Public Health, SYM has become an AIDS Voluntary Testing Centre (VCT), and in 2009 an antiretroviral treatment center and PMTCT site. In June 2010, SYM opened a clinic at its headquarters for treatment, education, counseling, day hospitalization, care, and laboratory services. The center's services cover the provinces of rural Bujumbura, Muramvya, and 8 other towns. With support from the government Ministry of Public Health, the staff was expanded to two doctors, five nurses, two psychologists, a laboratory, two social workers, a pharmacist, and three administrators. SYM also became a part of the National Programme Leprosy-Tuberculosis (PNILT), as a testing and anti-tubercular treatment center (CDT). Its services have received widespread notice.