Drs Anita Dohn and Michael Dohn

• Clínica Esperanza y Caridad
• Clinical care in the HIV/AIDS unit
• The community health program
• Administrative responsibilites
• Diocesan Pastoral de Salud

For information about:

Clínica Esperanza y Caridad . . . . . . . . . . Go to that Webpage

Community Health Program . . . . . . . . . . Go to that Webpage

The HIV/AIDS activities  . . . . . . . . . . . . Look Below

Diocesan Pastoral de Salud . . . . . . . . . . Look Below

The HIV infections rates in our area are about 2% to 2.5% based on testing data here. HIV continues to be a big health topic. 

AIDS Education

AIDS educational activities began in 2000 and have been underway ever since. Initially, Anita and Michael simply began talking to junior and senior high classes at Episcopal Schools in the area. In time, private and public schools were also included. In 2003, community-wide educational activites began and continue today.

HIV/AIDS Treatment

Prior to 2006, there was no treatment within the Province for people with HIV. We began to transport people to a center in La Romana (about 30 miles east) and get them enrolled there for care.

Eventually, several centers (funded by the Clinton Foundation) opened in this Province; Clínica Esperanza y Caridad was one of those centers.  At the end of 2009, the Clinic is following nearly 300 patients (9 of whom are children). The Clinic's unit operates now within the Dominican public health HIV/AIDS services, but with integrated public and private financing.

Social Services

The population that the Clinic serves are predomnately poor people. HIV/AIDS simply adds another challenge and impoverishing factor to people's lives.

Malnutrition was recognized early on as a problem for people infected by HIV here as well as for their families and children. Over the years, the Clinic's HIV/AID program has provided whatever nutritional support was available to those who needed it the most. Other forms of social assistence (such as school supplies and clothing) as also provided when we have the resources.

The Clinic also partners with Esperanza Internacional, a Christian economic development organization, in a program of micro-loans to enable people living with HIV/AIDS to start small-scale businesses. 

HIV Support Groups

The Clinic has provided the means for people living with HIV/AIDS to oragnize support groups. There are currently two HIV support groups running. Things have changed over the years, but the challenge of living with AIDS is still a bit easier with peer support.

The Pastoral de Salud is one of the 

diocesan committees appointed by the Bishop. Michael has been either a member or the convener for the Pastoral de Salud most years since its inception about 2004.

Starting after the 2009 Diocesan Convention, the Pastoral de Salud has embarked on a new process. It is partnering with Clinica Esperanza y Caridad to develop programs to address domestic violence and alcohol misuse on a diocesan level.

The William Cooper Procter Fund and Episcopal Relief and Development are providing funding.

Alcohol

The Pan-American Health Orgniazation identifies alcohol misuse as the major modifiable risk factor accounting for the most disability adjusted life years lost in Latin America. In other words, a big problem from direct alcohol effects on health, on auto accidents, on violence, and on HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

The alcohol initiative includes regional conferences for Episcopal clergy and lay leaders during 2010 regarding alcohol use, its health effects, how to recognize alcohol-related problems or dangers, and pastoral interventions that are available.

In addition, surveys and focus groups of young people will help direct the development of a school curriculum about alcohol for use in the Episcopal School system here. A student survey tool has been validated and field tested. Student surveys will begin in early 2010.

Violence

Using the communty health promoter network around San Pedro de Macorís, methods for addressing violence at the community level will be explored and evaluated. It is the hope that effective methods can then be communicated to communities in which the Episcopal Church has a presence. 

Dr. Luisa Reyes [with hairband], director for HIV/AIDS programs at the Clinic, reviews data from the AIDS treatment unit with visitors from USAID (US Agency for International Development).