Family Free

Location: Mopani district, Limpopo, South Africa

Prevention is better than cure

The Free Family project of the ANOVA Family Health Institute started in Johannesburg in 2008. Free Family, in cooperation with the local branch of the Ministry of Health, provides information programs specifically targeted at pregnant women with HIV and also to grandmothers of families who are affected by and have to face HIV. This information is presented in several clinics in the Limpopo Province.

The Free Family team comprises a project manager, nurses, therapist and a driver. Every day the team takes to the road in the early hours to assist clinics and to provide counseling in the villages.

The information programs are aimed firstly to encourage women to be tested, as this is still a huge challenge as many taboos still exist about HIV. Secondly, to inform pregnant women as to how HIV infection from mother to child can be prevented. Thirdly, to encourage HIV infected pregnant women to give birth in the hospital, and in so doing reducing the chance of infection. Fourthly, training is provided on how women should prepare an infant bottle-feeding formula as an alternative to breast-feeding and fifthly to inform women and children on the use of drugs, so these are taken in time and in the right manner.