Press Releases

November 27, 2007. Lusaka

Family Planning Messages Come to Life in New Video Aimed at People Living With HIV/AIDS

LUSAKA, Zambia – Family planning and healthy living is the unifying concept of a new video film designed for couples who have HIV/AIDS, a demographic largely ignored until now.  The film brings to life messages that promote family planning as a first step to preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV infection. 

The film, titled “Our Family, Our Choice,” made its debut run today at Mulungushi Conference Center.  U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Michael Koplovsky handed over the 30-minute video film and companion materials to Zambian Health Minister Dr. Brian Chituwo after an official ceremony. 

The film is a heartfelt account of the lives of three Zambian couples living with HIV/AIDS and their hard road to wisdom through a friendly health care provider.  A large part of what drives the central message—family planning helps save lives--is the knowledge that when HIV positive people participate in family planning, fewer infants are born with HIV infection.  Informed choices give HIV-positive women and couples the knowledge needed to plan wanted pregnancies, allowing for safe deliveries. 

“Our Family, Our Choice” was produced jointly by the Health Communication Partnership Zambia, the Ministry of Health, and the National AIDS/STI/TB Council.  Funding for the project was provided by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

The film is available in English and seven Zambian languages. Screening will take place at health clinics and support groups, on mobile video units, ZNBC and MUVI TV. The film will also serve as an educational tool for counselors, health care providers, and anyone who is interested in learning about different family planning methods.
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