IAS Digest: Improving access
In this fifth and final edition of the IAS Digest for 2024, we turn our focus to the critical theme of Improving access. We highlight key updates from IAS programmes, exploring some of the most pressing challenges and advancements in the HIV response, including breaking barriers to equitable care.
Person-Centred Care
The first Person-Centred Care Advocacy Academy took place in Lusaka, Zambia, in November. The IAS Person-Centred Care programme organized this inaugural academy with the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, in partnership with Gilead Sciences. The academy convened fellows from 12 African countries alongside experienced advocates to deepen their understanding of designing and implementing strategies that prioritize person-centred service delivery. Each fellow presented a concrete action plan to foster person-centred care in their setting.
Leveraging the IAS World AIDS Day theme of Unite to reach all, the IAS Person-Centred Care programme also hosted a webinar, “Unite to reach all with person-centred HIV prevention”. It explored how community leaders are uniting to guide and advocate for access to new HIV prevention products and person-centred, stigma-free, integrated and inclusive prevention services for people vulnerable to HIV acquisition.
Differentiated Service Delivery
Supporting individuals to re-engage in HIV services will be critical to reaching the 95-95-95 global HIV targets. To support uptake of the latest global normative guidance, the IAS and the World Health Organization hosted a multi-country workshop focused on re-engagement in HIV services in November. The workshop, led by the IAS Differentiated Service Delivery programme, brought together country teams to develop tailored pathways for individuals returning to HIV treatment programmes. Aimed at improving access and addressing context-specific challenges, the event marked an important step in ensuring sustained care for those rejoining their HIV treatment journeys.
Community-Led Monitoring
Community-driven initiatives, such as the community-led monitoring (CLM) mechanism, are the key to ensuring long-term success in the HIV response. This was the message of a panel discussion at the “CLM Summit: The Future is Community-Led”, hosted by the International Treatment Preparedness Coalition in Johannesburg, South Africa, in October. The panel, moderated by the IAS Community-Led Monitoring programme, was titled “CLM and Community Data as a Means to Sustainability in the HIV Response”.
CLM is working to transform the HIV response by empowering communities to identify and address health challenges, service gaps and inequalities. By engaging directly with service providers and recipients, communities use data to advocate for change, working with stakeholders to implement effective solutions. This approach strengthens HIV prevention and treatment retention and enhances equitable access to care.
Heart of Stigma
Discrimination in healthcare settings continues to deny many people living with HIV access to stigma-free services. In its webinar series, “Shifting mindsets”, the IAS Heart of Stigma programme shed light on the pressing issue of HIV-related stigma and discrimination.
The latest webinar, titled “Strategies for reducing HIV-related stigma and discrimination and promoting inclusive and respectful healthcare”, explored discrimination faced by people living with HIV in healthcare settings with a focus on understanding the nature and extent of stigma. Speakers discussed findings from the People Living with HIV Stigma Index and a recent report from the International Community of Women Living with HIV exposing the coercion, mistreatment and neglect women face when seeking reproductive health services. The recording is also available in French.
Youth Hub
Iva Shkoda, a 2024 Youth Hub seed grantee, is increasing access to psychological and legal support through a chatbot. Through Iva’s chatbot, young people living with HIV from Belarus receive correct information and, if required, are referred to psychologists and legal experts.
To increase access to educational resources and HIV services, 10 former IAS Young Leaders from Pakistan, Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, Zambia, Italy, Canada, the United States and Guatemala are implementing Youth Hub workshops in their communities.
IAS Mentorship Programme
Applications for the 2025 IAS Mentorship Programme, which will include a French-speaking cohort in addition to the English-speaking cohort, are open until 20 December. The IAS Mentorship Programme provides a forum for experienced and younger participants to meet regularly and discuss matters related to the area of HIV within an organized and supportive framework.
HIV unmuted
In this special World AIDS Day episode of HIV unmuted, the IAS podcast, poet, advocate and researcher Bakita Kasadha joins host Juan Michael Porter II in a conversation that challenges preconceived notions and redefines how we discuss and address HIV stigma. This episode dives into the transformative power of language, art and science in reshaping the global HIV narrative.
The IAS+ learning platform won two awards at the Anthem Awards:
- Silver in Best Education or Literacy Program or Platform (Health Awareness category)
- Bronze in Best Education or Literacy Platform (Health Product, Innovation, or Service category)
These awards celebrate the impact of IAS+ in driving positive change and improving access to health education.
World AIDS Day
On World AIDS Day (1 December), the IAS called on people everywhere to rally around the theme, Unite to reach all, to ensure that no one is left behind in the HIV response. We must unite science, policy and activism to ensure that all can access the support and care they require. Find out more about our theme and access free resources and graphics.
Join the conversation
Connect with us and stay up to date by following the official IAS social media channels.
