Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Cresent Societies - 14 November 2003
Jemini Pandya in Geneva
Six African Red Cross societies - Ethiopia, Kenya, Namibia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe - have agreed to develop treatment programmes for people with HIV/AIDS with technical support from the International Federation. It was a decision that was announced as African Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, the International FederationÆs HIV/AIDS governance group, donors and partner organisations, met in Windhoek for a conference on community social mobilisation.
"Too many people are dying. Our governments do not have enough resources because the scale of the HIV/AIDS epidemic is just too great. Any new player who can get people onto treatment and save more lives, is welcome," says Dr Tito Fachi, president of the Zambian Red Cross.
"People look to the Red Cross to help save the situation. There are very few other organisations that can help who have a humanitarian mandate like ours. We have to respond," he adds.
Treatment has not traditionally been on the Red Cross Red Crescent programme agenda. Focus has largely been on prevention programmes and, since 2002, on combating HIV-related stigma and discrimination. But all that will now change.
A World Health Organisation (WHO) target has been set to provide anti-retroviral treatment to 3 million people by 2005 and work on this is underway, including in Africa. But treatment programmes focus very much on clinical support - i.e. the provision of drugs and treatment in clinics.
However, little is being done to support people outside that environment. The decision by the six African Red Cross societies is a big step forward in changing that practice. And one that plays to the strengths of the Red Cross.
Community based, volunteer-driven programmes will aim to inform people about what treatments can and canÆt do for them. It is an approach meant to complement existing testing and counselling work and anti-stigma and discrimination programmes. And this community mobilisation approach is one which the WHO recognises as essential if its target is to be reached.
"Treatment delivery is much more than getting clinics functioning. The Red Cross and Red Crescent ability to educate and mobilise communities will help overcome stigma and encourage people to come forward for treatment and then support them to take medication safely. Without this kind of support, basic treatment programmes wonÆt work," says Bernard Gardiner, head of the International FederationÆs global HIV/AIDS programmes.
Red Cross treatment support programmes will also include upgrading the level of training among home-based care providers so they can provide more practical support on treatment issues. These include ensuring nutritional support and helping to manage the side effects of medication. As well as providing this support, efforts will be made to mobilise greater resources, such as funds to help pay for drugs.
"These Red Cross programmes are a start. But we have to do much more to raise funds to pay for drugs and people to implement our programmes," Dr Fachi insists. "We know that the Zambian Red Cross will save a few thousand lives with this treatment programme. We will make a difference in our country and this is exciting. But if we can get more funds, we can save many more people."
The six-nation Red Cross programmes will initially be over a five year period and will aim to support 1,000 people in the first year in each of the six African countries and increase that figure by 1,000 people each successive year.
"The success of these programmes could mean that they would be adopted by other Red Cross and Red Crescent societies in Africa and the rest of the world," says Alvaro Bermejo, head of the International FederationÆs health department.
"What the Red Cross and Red Crescent has just committed itself to doing, can have a significant impact on the HIV/AIDS global pandemic."
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