AEGiS-15IAC: Towards Identifying and utilising existing community capacity for information, education, communication and advocacy in the introduction of universal access to anti-retroviral therapy.

15th International AIDS Conference

Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

Towards Identifying and utilising existing community capacity for information, education, communication and advocacy in the introduction of universal access to anti-retroviral therapy.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. D10226)

Ndhlovu F, Kasonde DR
Zambia HIV/AIDS Partnership in the Workplace (ZBCA), Lusaka, Zambia

ISSUES: Towards identifying and utilising existing community capacity in the introduction of universal access to anti-retroviral therapy (ART). This includes anti-retroviral medicines as well as the essential services needed to provide them (treatment support and laboratory testing).

DESCRIPTION: Anti-retroviral therapy (ART) should be delivered equitably to all those who need it, including children, women and men and all vulnerable populations including sex workers, injecting drug users, men who have sex with men, displaced persons, prisoners and migrant wrokers. People Living with HIV and Aids must be involved in the movement to provide universal access to ART, in designing and implementing programs as volunteers and as a vital part of the work force of service providers. Unless the treatment and care provided are relevant to and respectful of community needs, people will not use the service. The most successful ART pilot programs in resource limited settings have made community involvement a central element of planning and implementation. A rights based approach which is prounded in the empowerment of individuals and their communities by placing them at the center of health services including the right to health, right to know one's HIV status, the right to information, the right to privacy and the right to non-descrimination is much needed.

LESSONS LEARNED: The involvement of community leaders and groups has led to some clear and effective ways to provide antiretroviral therapy to people living with HIV/AIDS.

RECOMMENDATIONS: This abstract considers that anti-retroviral theray (ART) should be provided free-of-charge to the patient, but we must take caution against this as a principle, as it would be difficult in many health institutions. Therefore, the community should be involved in the provision of antiretroviral therapy to people living with HIV/AIDS.

Keywords: AEGIS, Teaching, Communication, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Public Policy, HIV, HIV Infections, Interpersonal Relations, Health Planning, Health Services Needs and Demand, Health Planning Guidelines, Human Rights, Health, United States, Humans, Male, Female, Child, therapy, education, methods

040711
D10226