Int Conf AIDS 1996 Jul 7-12; 11:2 (abstract no. We.12) Osborne C; University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia. Fax: 260-1-250-305. E-mail: medpaed@zamnet.zm.
The scale of the HIV pandemic in Zambia and many other resource-poor settings (RPSs) has overwhelmed the existing health and social support systems. Around 65% of medical inpatients in Lusaka are HIV-seropositive. More that 80% of people have a family member or close relative, who has died of HIV. Every class in every school includes one or more orphans. Even if antivirals, systemic antifungals and sophisticated antibiotics were to be affordable, they would not be the best health care strategy. The only appropriate and feasible model is to provide a continuum of care with the emphasis firmly on the family and community. This would not only reduce the stigma still associated with HIV but improve care. However, HIV is only one of the burdens on societies already stretched to their limits by poverty, ethnic and political instability and natural disasters. Until the global inequalities in life expectations are reduced, care for HIV will always be limited by the competing priorities. The continuum of care in RPSs being discussed is from a local state of the art perspective. The paper further outlines future challenges and directions for research. One World, One Hope is certainly a welcome challenge.
Keywords: AEGIS, Poverty, Health Resources, HIV, HIV Infections, Socioeconomic Factors, Foster Home Care, Delivery of Health Care, HIV-1, HIV Seropositivity, Zambia, ICA11
