 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||||
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
HOME |
|
|
|
HIV/AIDS ProgrammingBuilding Capacity to Address the Global EpidemicAccording to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, there were an estimated 33 million people worldwide living with HIV in 2007; 2.7 million new infections were reported in that year. Sub-Saharan Africa remains most heavily affected by HIV, accounting for 67% of all people living with HIV and for 72% of AIDS deaths in 2007. The Canadian Society for International Health (CSIH) recognizes the severity of the global HIV/AIDS pandemic and works with all levels of government, health institutions, civil society, and partners from various sectors to build in-country capacity related to policy, surveillance, prevention, care, and treatment. CSIH has solid experience in implementing and facilitating HIV/AIDS-related technical assistance projects throughout Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. HIV/AIDS and Health Systems StrengtheningEffective health systems (health human resources, service delivery – treatments and programs, health information systems, community interventions, health financing, and leadership and governance) are essential to implementing a scalable long-term response to the global HIV/AIDS epidemic. Building the capacity of policy makers, service providers, and health administrators to identify population health needs, identify, access and allocate resources, manage and coordinate health data, and provide comprehensive and accessible health services requires coordinated investments in education, training, and infrastructure. In many low and middle-income (LMIC) countries, donor-provided technical expertise and assistance is required to support the process of health systems strengthening. In its projects, CSIH applies an integrated approach to disease prevention, diagnosis, management, and care at the national and district/community levels. HIV/AIDS and the VulnerableGlobally, it is marginalized groups, including
women, children, youth, and mobile populations who are the most vulnerable to
HIV/AIDS, who lack access to appropriate education, prevention, treatments and
support resources, and who face stigmatization and discrimination within their
communities. This understanding is reflected in CSIH projects that focus on
evidence-based practical interventions and policy development that targets
vulnerable groups. In 2007 there were an estimated 5.4 million young people 15-24 years old, and an unknown number of 10-14 year olds, living with HIV/AIDS worldwide (WHO). Youth face numerous barriers when accessing health services for the diagnosis and treatment of HIV/AIDS, including fears about peer-based ostracization and stigma related to being tested, a perceived lack of confidentiality and respect from health care providers, and health services that are simply not designed in a youth-friendly manner. CSIH recognizes that preventative education, outreach programs, and youth-friendly health services are necessary components of an appropriate multi-pronged response to address the long-term societal implications of HIV/AIDS. Through its Youth and Health projects, CSIH worked with ministries of health, health institutions, academics, and youth-focused NGOs to strengthen health policy and programs at the national, regional, and local levels. CSIH projects emphasize the use of positive messaging, while engaging youth in meaningful and important interventions that are adapted to local needs. Educating service providers on the unique needs of youth, empowering youth to speak out on and take ownership of their health issues, and working with policy makers to ensure that youth needs are reflected in strategies are key strategies to prevent and manage HIV/AIDS among youth. These approaches also ensure that those who are infected have access to youth-friendly health services and support. Multi-disciplinary and Intersectoral ApproachesEffective prevention, treatment, and care of HIV/AIDS require a multidisciplinary approach that encompasses both biomedical and psychosocial aspects. Accurate and reliable laboratory diagnostics are needed to diagnose infection and provide the basis for medical assessment and treatment decision-making for people infected with HIV; health services must have adequately trained staff (physicians, nurses) and resources to provide quality care for patients; psychologists and/or social workers together with AIDS service organizations can provide necessary support for those infected or affected by HIV/AIDS. CSIH is committed to working across all disciplines to facilitate the improvement of health outcomes. Policies and actions to address HIV vulnerability
must also include multiple sectors, as the social determinants of health are
often non-health sector initiatives that have both positive and negative effects
on health outcomes. For example, large infrastructure projects may result in
significant population movement, which frequently exposes people to problems of
poverty, exploitation, and discrimination, while also increasing their
vulnerability to HIV/AIDS infection and reducing their access to preventative
education, treatment and ongoing support. Migrants, refugees, internally
displaced persons, and trafficking victims are among the groups who are most at
risk and the nature of their vulnerability requires coordination and
collaboration across different sectors – such as health, social services,
transportation, education, agriculture, immigration, and labour. CSIH recognizes
that “health in all policies” is critical in stemming the HIV/AIDS epidemic and
works across sectors to meet this challenge. CSIH Projects with HIV/AIDS Programming Components
|
