On September 21, 2022, CHS hosted delegates from Rwanda, Botswana, South Sudan and the CDC Atlanta at the Siaya County Referral Hospital for a cross-learning visit focused on sharing experiences, lessons learned and progress made in reaching adolescents living with HIV through Operation Triple Zero (OTZ) clubs in Siaya County.
OTZ is an initiative targeting adolescents aged 10-24 living with HIV towards promoting their commitment to taking charge of their health by attaining the triple zero outcomes of zero missed appointments, zero missed drugs and zero viral load.
“I have experienced the effectiveness and impact that OTZ clubs have on the lives of adolescents living with HIV; upon enrolment into care, most adolescents are demotivated and mentally drained by false narratives about their HIV status. The interaction and experience sharing within OTZ clubs have helped motivate and encourage adolescents to accept their status and take charge of their health,” said Linda Otieno, Paediatric & Adolescents Care Treatment Officer CHS Shinda Tena Project.
During the visit, OTZ champions spoke about how OTZ has impacted their lives; one common denominator was their appreciation for the CHS innovation Hero’s Mobile Application. This has been a game changer for them as it has enabled them to interact with one another, narrate their stories to each other (which several found very motivational), interact with medical experts, and have an inbuilt system that reminds them to take their medicine. (Read more about the CHS Heroes App here).
“Being able to talk to people and hear stories from people who are going through the same problems as me, helps me feel like I’m not alone.” Maurine Achieng, OTZ champion.
With support from the U.S President’s Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through CDC, CHS has implemented efficient adolescent-friendly service delivery models by enrolling and reaching over 9,000 adolescents through the OTZ clubs across eight counties across the country.
