AEGiS-14IAC: Increasing access to medical treatment for HIV-positive staff of AIDS non-governmental organizations in developing countries.

14th International AIDS Conference

Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

Increasing access to medical treatment for HIV-positive staff of AIDS non-governmental organizations in developing countries.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. ThOrF1409)

Patterson D, Sellers T, O'Malley J
Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, Montreal, Canada

ISSUES: HIV/AIDS treatments, including anti-retroviral therapies, are increasingly provided in resource-poor settings in contexts such as the mining industry, or to local staff of international organizations. However there is limited documented experience with providing HIV/AIDS treatments to staff of AIDS NGOs. Yet these organizations often face a relatively high burden of HIV-related illness and death.

DESCRIPTION: In 2001, an international development NGO contacted its partner organizations in 17 countries to ascertain their interest in receiving technical support to explore if and how to provide medical treatment for staff living with HIV, and to address broader issues of stigma and discrimination in the workplace. In 2002, three countries were identified for a pilot project to provide technical support to (i) research access to treatment in the local context, the needs of the organization and the range of possible strategies that could be adopted; (ii) provide workshops and technical support to address stigma and discrimination in the workplace, including the development of a workplace policy on HIV/AIDS; (iii) assist develop a medical benefits policy for the provision of HIV/AIDS treatments; and (iv) provide technical support in the form of financial planning for the assessment of the impact of HIV on the organization and the creation of a staff fund and/or other mechanisms to provide an agreed level of treatment and care to staff.

ISSUES: Ten organisations responded requesting technical support. This paper will report on the challenges and opportunities encountered during the pilot phase, as well as future options to be explored.

RECOMMENDATIONS: AIDS NGOs should explore ways to retain and keep healthy staff living with HIV. Options will vary according to the local context. Drug prices are falling in many countries - donors should support such initiatives.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Infections, Organizations, Developing Countries, HIV Seropositivity, Health Planning, Foster Home Care, Research, Health Resources, United States, therapy, organization & administration

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ThOrF1409