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Abstract
Advocacy on availability and access to treatment and health services in the Gambia
A. Akinsipe
Issues: There are estimated 15,000 people; adults and children, living with HIV/AIDS in The Gambia. In responding to care and treatment, stigma and discrimination impede access to treatment, and health service policymakers lack country specific information related to PLWHAs access to health care services and treatment, resulting to inadequate and improper design and implementation of programs and resources allocation. There are very few organizations providing treatment and care services, precisely only 2. The government had been adopting a preventative strategy in past years. All these make advocating for access to treatment very difficult in the beginning.
Description: With the use of media and advocacy workshop, People’s Alliance to Combat HIV/AIDS with technical assistance from the National AIDS secretariat started a campaign in November 2004 creating awareness towards the only 2 existing test, treatment and care services centers in the country for antiretroviral drugs and counseling. Soon after few other NGOs followed the suit.
Lessons learned: The government was under a very huge pressure after the media reported the lack of treatment programs for the PLWHAs. Having identified gaps and issues at stake, the government finally announced its own antiretroviral therapy program and developed strategies to meet up the gaps between PLWHAs and access to treatment and care services. At the same time also, PLWHAs organized protests demanding antiretroviral therapy. As a result there is massive evolution of caregivers attitudes and practices.
Recommendations: To ensure accessability, availability, and sustainability of antiretroviral drugs, treatment and adequate health cervices, there is need for strategic advocacy over a period of time. It is also very important for PLWHAs to come up in front and advocate for their needs. Media can be the best allies in advocating for access to treatment and care services. Above all, there is greater need for more multilateral funds against HIV/AIDS.
AIDS 2006 - XVI International AIDS Conference
Abstract no.
CDD1093
Suggested Citation
" A. Akinsipe
Advocacy on availability and access to treatment and health services in the Gambia.
:
AIDS 2006 - XVI International AIDS Conference:
Abstract no.
CDD1093"
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