A National Seminar on Maximizing Access: Can Care Propel HIV Prevention?

[Guest guest]

Dear Moderator,

Oxfam GB, in collaboration with the Sexual Health Resource Center

(SHRC)iorganiz a National seminar on " Maximizing Access: Can Care Propel HIV

Prevention? " addressing crucial issues around care and prevention in HIV/AIDS on

4th February 2004 at the India International Centre, Lodhi Road, New

Delhi-110003.

We would like to share with you the highlights of a preparatory two-day round

table discussion on exploring avenues for care to propel prevention and to

maximize access to care for persons living with HIV/AIDS.

In the wake of the rapidly changing HIV/AIDS scenario in India, Oxfam (GB) has

organized this program in collaboration with the Sexual Health Resource Center

(SHRC). With the progress of the epidemic, the care of those affected with

HIV/AIDS is fast becoming a priority. Encouraging developments include

decreasing cost of antiretroviral treatment (ART) and increasing national and

international political commitment to make these drugs available. In this

emerging situation there is a need to deliberate with key stakeholders on these

issues so that available resources are put to best use, and to plan future

investment in this area.

The concept of care, however, is a spectrum of services and is not limited to

Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART) alone. We believe that care and support is a

human rights issue but at the same time it can actually help prevent further

spread of the virus. Care and Prevention can be complimentary elements in the

same continuum.

The preparatory two-day Round Table Discussion, organized on February 2-3 will

bring together important stakeholders and national experts from PLHA (People

Living with HIV/AIDS) organizations, NACO, SACS, NGOs, development agencies,

multilateral and bilateral agencies, the pharmaceutical industry, physicians,

agencies working in the area of human rights of PLHA and health insurance

companies.

Participants will explore critical elements of the prevention and care continuum

and ways to maximize the access to care, including ART. Through these

brainstorming sessions, we hope to bring forth several recommendations on

policies and strategies for delivering care for HIV/AIDS and for positioning

these services with the existing prevention activities of the National AIDS

Programme.

These consultations attempt to explore:

• Broadening the vision of access to care and highlight various access-related

issues.

• Clarifying the synergy between care and prevention and ways to compliment each

other.

• Identify crucial gaps in maximizing access to care, including ART, and to

evolve strategies for closing those gaps.

Those who are interested are welcome to attend this seminar.

Please confirm your participation to our contact person

Ms Piyali Acharya, email:piyali@...

Ph: 51632246/7/8, fax: 51632249.