Current Programs and Projects
Here are the explanations about some of the programs we have begun since the creation of RADEM. Most of these projects will continue as long as they are needed and we have the resources to support them. We do hope to eventually pass the responsibility of these projects onto the beneficiaries once we have stabilized and sharpened operations. In doing so, the community continues to receive the benefits of the program, more members of the community have jobs, and RADEM can put efforts towards new projects and needs.
The Social Medical Center of Lubumbashi
The RADEM Social Medical Center of Lubumbashi opened in June, 2002. It offers health services at a reduced cost to the youth of Lubumbashi. The center has a maternity ward that assists at least 35 births per month and vaccinates infants from ages 0-2 years for tuberculosis, diphtheria, polio, whooping cough, measles, tetanus, and yellow fever--free of charge! The center has created 15 new jobs for young volunteers, employing both men and women equally. We have got a second house in Lubumbashi for the second Maternity located at KALUBWE area where is living poor and needy people.
Counseling for the Detection of HIV
Since January, 2003 RADEM has organized counseled appointments for voluntary HIV tests. Through this program our clients receive advice, suggestions, and counseling from a psychiatrist/social worker during, before, and after the test. The RADEM clinic staff are trained by the National Program for the Fight against AIDS (PNLS) along with the partnership of UNDP/UNAIDS (the United Nations Development Program and the United Nations AIDS organization).
Healthcare for Patients with HIV/AIDS and STD's
Since April, 2003 RADEM gives free care to those infected by HIV/AIDS and other curable diseases. It also cares for young adolescents infected with STD's with help from medication provided by PNLS, UNDP, and UNAIDS free of charge.
Youth Awareness of HIV/AIDS
Since 1999, RADEM has organized several HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns, as well as STD campaigns, for young adults. These campaigns aim to teach young adults and adolescents how these diseases are transmitted, what they will do if they are infected, how to avoid them, and more.
Transfusion Security
RADEM supports the rural health zone of ANKORO, situated more than 1200 kilometers from Lubumbashi, in a transfusion security program. It helps proved a supply of blood transfusion security kits, each containing an HIV test to complete before each transfusion.
Mass circumcision campaign
RADEM is running mass circumcision campaign of boys from 3 months to 15 years old. It helps to prevent HIV among children, to assist parents by saving 7 to 10 $USA per child. From March 22, 2004 to May 29, 2004 RADEM had done free circumcision of 2,032 children in Lubumbashi and Kipushi towns. From August to September RADEM local staff did the third round of circumcision for 2,000 children in Lubumbashi and Likasi town.
Training sessions
RADEM had a local staff trained as Trainers of peer educators. RADEM had trained more than 100 youth peer educators on HIV/STDs prevention in Kipushi, Butumba, Likasi and Lubumbashi towns in partnership with PNLS, Unicef, GTZ and world Vision. RADEM had trained also 23 physicians about First Aid in partnership with Doctors Worldwide (UK).