BE Stories

Visit of UNAIDS’ Executive Director, Mr Michel Sidibé

On 11 October, BE Health’s peer educators in Djibouti had the chance to introduce themselves and their activities to ​Mr Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS’ Executive Director, as well as to ​Dr​ ​Yamina ​Cha​kkar​ UNAIDS’ regional director and Dr Dado Sy, UNAIDS’ representative in Djibouti. Mr Sidibé inspired BE Health’s entire team by sharing his long experience in how to best convey messages to prevent HIV from spreading in their communities. There is still a long way to go to stop the transmission of HIV in Djibouti. ​Mr Sidibé’s encouragement was therefore highly appreciated.

“BE Health is the kind of  public-private partnership that can inspire change and transform the lives of people affected by HIV, tuberculosis, malaria and other infectious diseases. We can all play a part in creating a healthier world.”

Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive Director

Djibouti programme Up to Full Speed

With an estimation of more than 200 new tuberculosis cases every week, Djibouti’s citizens are almost used to living with the disease. Tuberculosis is part of their daily life and even called dahán (cough) amongst the Somali-speaking citizens. Most of the time, Djiboutians do not know what it implies to be infected by tuberculosis nor are they aware of its symptoms or the consequences of not completing a TB treatment course.
BE Health’s 22 peer educators in Djibouti reach out to colleagues at their workplace, family at home and their fellow community members to raise awareness about tuberculosis and HIV. Together, they connect with more than 300 people each month to pass on their knowledge and save TB patients who didn’t complete their six-month TB treatment course.
In collaboration with Djibouti’s Dr. Chakib Saad Omar tuberculosis hospital, BE Health’s peer educators will be instrumental in a locally designed programme to encourage patients to resume their medication.

Photo by Miriam Martinelli