MATTHEW 25 HOUSE AND OUR SUPPORT TO PERSONS LIVING WITH HIV IN THE WAKE OF COVID-19

1.0 BACKGROUND

Matthew 25 House has its name extracted from Matthew 25:45 which reads “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brethren you do to me”. This statement is the pivot for the establishment of the Faith Based Organization (FBO) in 1998 of the Catholic Diocese of Koforidua and incorporated in 2005 for the legal commencement of its operations.

The key merit of this NGO is to provide care and support for Persons Living with HIV and AIDS (PLHIV) and Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVCs).

It started its operations at the St. Dominic Hospital, Akwatia in the Eastern Region of Ghana and currently housed in Koforidua and support many PLHIVs across the Eastern Region and other parts of Ghana.

1.1 BRIEF ACHIEVEMENT OF MATTHEW 25

We are happy to acknowledge that the House has supported over 500 adults and 200 children who are now healthy and are on their feet. Four of the OVCs we supported have completed their First-degree courses, one is pursuing a PHD course in Australia, three (3) have completed Technical Universities, among others.

Presently, Matthew 25 family comprises 100 persons mostly women who are living with HIV but most of them are not in any gainful employment and COVID-19 has worsen their economic situation.

2.0 EFFECT OF COVID-19 ON PERSONS LIVING WITH HIV (PLHIV)

The advent of COVID –19 has brought untold hardship on the vulnerable in our society who do not receive any salary and most of the time depend on going out daily to sell before getting their one meal a day;

our members are part of these affected seriously affected victims.

Various studies have pointed out that, PLHIV need good nutritional support to stay on antiretroviral (ART) treatment and prolong their lives.  Many PLHIV in vulnerable communities in Ghana were worried about COVID-19 while staying on their medication as well as working to sustain themselves and families, especially those who live from hand to mouth.  Most of them were anxious and depressed in respect to their survival due to loss of income and scarcity of essential supplies and food.

2.1 MATTHEW 25 HOUSE SUPPORT TO PLHIV IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19

Matthew 25 House made enquiries from three hospitals namely: St Joseph’s Hospital, Koforidua, Akuse Government Hospital, Akuse and St Martin de Porres Hospital, Agomanya for PLHIV who have been adversely affected by COVID-19.  10,000 PLHIV from the above health facilities were presented to me, out of which, 2000 PLHIV have been badly affected by COVID-19.

To address their needs, Matthew 25 House provided essential groceries such as bags of rice, cooking oil, tin tomatoes, tin fish, vegetables as well as face masks and money to support 150 of the PLHIV.  Matthew 25 House has also been facilitating the supply of medicines to the PLHIV and their families. Additionally, we provide education on COVID-19 to PLHIV and their families as well as psychological support. Our phone lines are opened daily for psychological support and counselling.

2.2 Presentation of Food Items to Network of PLHIV

3.0 REQUEST FOR SUPPORT

Unfortunately, we still have OVCs and PLHIV who are bed ridden and others still struggling to make ends meet because of COVID-19. We are therefore humbly appealing for donation (food items and cash) to support them especially about 600 from the aforementioned hospitals who are in critical need to continuously stay on treatment and put their lives together again.  We would continue to collaborate with the health facilities and the Executives of the Network of Persons living with HIV to share the essential supplies including food to the affected PLHIV.

Thanks to all our benefactors and friends as we anticipate more support to better the lives of PLHIV to stay strong, healthier and have prolonged live, especially in this unusual time of COVID-I9.

MONSIGNOR ALEX BOBBY BENSON