Jenna Bush, former UNICEF intern and author of Ana's Story: A Journey of Hope, based on her work with UNICEF, is visiting UNICEF programs in Peru and blogging from the field. This is her second entry.
We woke to the sun breaking through the clouds of the Andes and flew to Lima for a day visiting urban programs. As we drove through the crowded city, passing large buses and motor taxis, mothers and children I was struck by the stark difference between the isolated, slow life in the communities outside of Cusco and the congested city life.
After a thirty minute drive through traffic, we arrived at our destination: the Tahuantinsuyo Bajo Health Center.
Dr. Cornejo immediately leads us down a narrow hall and takes us into a small examining room. He then introduces us to Ines, a pregnant mother of three. A nurse is speaking with Ines about the HIV/AIDS rapid test.
Dr. Cornejo explains, “This clinic has one of the most integrated programs in preventing the transmission from mother-to-child and we have given more HIV rapid tests than any clinic in Peru.”
UNICEF Peru has provided much of the research and assistance in creating this program. In this clinic, and eleven others in the area, the plan is this: a patient receives information about HIV, including the rapid test, the health of their baby and then ultimately it is their choice if they will take the test. After a patient knows the results there is a staff of guidance counselors that will help them accept the news.
Ines has decided that she will take the test, not only for herself, but for her unborn child.
UNICEF Peru has supported Tahuantinsuyo Bajo Center and many other clinics in Peru by providing rapid HIV tests for patients just like Ines. Ines is already seven months pregnant and therefore cannot wait for the results from Elisa, the traditional HIV testing measure; she must know immediately. Her test results from the rapid test will be ready in fifteen minutes.
We say goodbye to Ines and she tells us she is comforted that she will know her results so soon. We continue to walk down the hall and enter a mother and baby waiting room. Five mothers lay in twin beds cradling and breastfeeding their newborns. They smile when we enter and beam with maternal pride when we take pictures of them with their babies.
Dr. Cornejo tells us that this room is provided as a comfort for new mothers, but is also, a place of learning. Nurses provide counseling, early child parenting classes and teach the mothers the importance of breastfeeding and lifelong nutrition.
Our visit is almost over, but Dr. Cornejo wants us to view the hospital counseling program in action. UNICEF Peru has provided the training and support for many of the nurses. We enter a room where a young girl, only fourteen-years-old, sits across from a nurse who is explaining diagrams from a large flip book.
The girl looks up when we enter and smiles gently. Her mother who is seated next to her mumbles a greeting, her eyes worried.
The young girl, who has just finished her first year of escuela secundaria, or high school, is four months pregnant. But it seems to me, that despite the challenges her baby will bring she is full of hope.
The nurse gives her the information she needs to keep her newborn baby healthy and information about HIV/AIDS prevention. Then she tells us that 20% of the patients in the hospital are teenagers.
We ask the girl if she plans to finish high school. Her mother shakes her head in doubt but the girl replies, “ Yes, por supuesto, of course.”
I ask, “Promise?” “Promise,” she says as she shakes my hand in confirmation.