SAVING LIVES ONE BY ONE

Archive for October, 2014

Honduras – People with HIV stigma index report

Honduras – People with HIV stigma index report

  • 30th October 2014
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The Red Centroamericana de Personas con vih (REDCA+) conducted a study on the index of stigma associated with HIV and/or AIDS. In addition, Fundación LLAVES, along with members of Alianza Interinstitucional, implemented this same research in 17 Honduran cities with the highest HIV prevalence. Sergio Montealegre, representative of REDCA+, and Rosa González, Director of Fundación LLAVES in Honduras carried out a presentation of the results, and highlighted some of those who represent greater impact in the lives of people with HIV. 47% of respondents indicated that their religious leaders knew about their HIV status. “53% has decided not to share their HIV status due to fear of being rejected inside their communities”. Said Montealegre. Of those who decided to share their HIV diagnosis, 38% received very supportive reactions, while 10% was neutral; in about half of the cases, the reactions were positive; however, it still remains hard to reveal a…
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Civil Society’s opinion on guidelines for testing, early treatment, and counseling in regard to HIV treatment

Civil Society’s opinion on guidelines for testing, early treatment, and counseling in regard to HIV treatment

  • 29th October 2014
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Early diagnosis and the initiation of appropriate and early HIV treatment is key to ensure a healthy life for those with HIV. Therefore, different organizations and networks in Latin America and the Caribbean have joined to express their voice regarding the new guidelines of “early treatment” for people with HIV, and the fulfillment of the goals proposed by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). The statement, which is collecting signatures of civil society organizations and networks in Latin America, states, among other things, that there is not enough scientific evidence or consensus on the benefits of early antiretroviral therapy for those who have more than 500 CD4. It also highlights that health systems in Latin American countries do not offer support or care for people who develop side effects. Also, they have no access to viral load testing and genotyping services, and if they have, they are not sustainable. On…
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Panama – a song that teaches us not to discriminate

Panama – a song that teaches us not to discriminate

  • 20th October 2014
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In August this year, a group of musicians along with members of civil society organizations in Panama joined forces to launch a song with which they seek to raise awareness and reduce stigma and discrimination around HIV in Panama and Central America. Some of the passages of the song say “... Generation zero, I want to change. A new world with a great heart. Generation zero, no more discrimination...” In addition, the song calls for Panamanians to work together in order to build a more inclusive and respectful of country. “With this first effort, and many more, we want to raise awareness, but above all, to motivate everyone, so we all can achieve a country free of stigma and discrimination” expressed Yamilka Pitre, a Panamanian singer. Musical arrangements are by the Panamanian artist Jair Ruiz from Orquesta Café. Lyrics are by Saratiel Karrica and José González from PASMO Panama, and…
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Bolivia – must develop a strategy of prevention with male sex workers and the use of the Internet

Bolivia – must develop a strategy of prevention with male sex workers and the use of the Internet

  • 17th October 2014
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With the advent of the Internet, we were now able to reach a world of new possibilities. Later, we thought that the Internet had given us everything, but then social networks were born. They opened the doors to an endless number of opportunities, and gave rise to the development of many others. Among them, sex work. With the development of social networks, blogs and web pages, male sex work underwent significant changes, prompting the formation of a variety of virtual agencies, and a huge number of independent sex workers. Having these new tools, male sex workers have now instant access to more and better business opportunities. However, these technologies and their wide use, have not been used yet by the Governments and members of civil society, since they can help reach more people in order to deliver a message of prevention, and the correct use of the condoms. Nowadays, we…
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Guatemala – Army soldiers train in HIV prevention: a good practice to be developed by other armed forces

Guatemala – Army soldiers train in HIV prevention: a good practice to be developed by other armed forces

  • 17th October 2014
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Since mid-October, 2011, and thanks to the support of the Department of Defense of the United States, PASMO Guatemala implemented a project to strengthen HIV prevention in the Guatemalan Army. With this initiative, PASMO seeks to reduce the incidence of HIV among members of the army. The project has important partners such as the Ministry of Defense, the Military Health Service, la Comisión Militar de Inmunodeficiencia Adquirida (COMISIDA), the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance, The National Program on HIV and AIDS, and the comprehensive care units of the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance, which have acted as strategic partners in the implementation of this project. In order to achieve a significant impact within the Guatemalan military, peer soldiers on HIV prevention have trained. These groups have been trained to make HIV prevention interventions in their commands. Soldiers have participated in training workshops to provide HIV counseling…
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Conexión Total México Interviews our Executive Director

Conexión Total México Interviews our Executive Director

  • 9th October 2014
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Through its website www.conexiontotal.mx, the Expreso publishing group interviewed our Executive Director, Jesús Aguais, regarding Mexican immigrants’ HIV-related vulnerabilities in New York City. In this interview, Jesús Aguais commented on some of the main factors that may put an individual at risk of acquiring HIV, which affect not only Mexicans, but any group of immigrants in New York City. Among the causes that may lead to HIV acquisition are being misinformed or uninformed, the crowded conditions in which immigrants live, as well as the neglect of their own health, since it is often not as high a priority as work. Jesús Aguais also mentioned that AID FOR AIDS and other community-based organizations provide free services to immigrants in New York, aimed at improving the quality of life of those who need it most. To read the full interview in Spanish click on the following link: Advierten sobre alta vulnerabilidad de…
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Peru – Principal Recipient of country project funded by the Global Fund without management capacity

Peru – Principal Recipient of country project funded by the Global Fund without management capacity

  • 3rd October 2014
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The change of the Principal Recipient for the second phase of the project financed by the Global Fund has generated serious delays in the implementation of activities that mainly affect populations of sexual diversity in Peru. Inaction and discomfort are perceived every day due to the Principal Recipient’s postponements to assume the costs of rental of offices where community groups meet. Also, the educational economic support for trans women in 8 different regions of the country such as Lima, Callao, Ica, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Loreto, Ucayali and San Martín has been affected. Julio Gilvonio Alegría, representative of vulnerable populations before the multi-sectoral National Coordinating Committee on Health, expressed his discomfort and blamed the management team Parsalud II, by their inability to conduct a community project. “It is an untenable situation. The failure and mismanagement of the Principal Recipient increase since we have to wait slow administrative processes”. Said Julio Gilvonio.…
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Sexual and Reproductive Rights in the 21st Century

Sexual and Reproductive Rights in the 21st Century

  • 3rd October 2014
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World leaders gathered in The United Nations Headquarters in New York this last September 22nd to commemorate twenty years since the adoption of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). The ICPD transformed the world's thinking about sustainable development, in particular the fundamental rights and freedoms of women and girls to have control over their sexual and reproductive lives. This programme is the product of analysis from governments around the world, the findings of experts and researchers, and contributions from the UN system and civil society. It aims to end the deaths of 800 women and girls that happen every day from causes related to pregnancy, sexual abuse, and malnutrition, among others. Furthermore, it aims to end the HIV pandemic and reduce the 2,400 new cases of HIV that occur every day among youth alone; to ensure that young people have the information, education, and services they need to make…
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UN approves resolution against discrimination due to sexual orientation

UN approves resolution against discrimination due to sexual orientation

  • 3rd October 2014
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The United Nations Human Rights Council adopted, by 25 votes in favor, a draft resolution promoted by Chile in relation to the incorporation of measures against discrimination of homosexual, bisexual, transgender and intersex populations (LGBTI). The new resolution counted on the support of the Governments of Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Montenegro, Peru, Philippines, Korea, Romania, South Africa, Macedonia, United Kingdom, United States, Venezuela, Viet Nam and Chile, naturally. The project proposed by Chile seeks to make visible sexual minorities and calls on the United Nations to follow up and take action in this matter, in order to enforce the fundamental rights of all citizens. The document raises concern about the acts of violence and discrimination, in all regions of the world, committed against people due to their sexual orientation and gender identity. “Nothing can justify the acts of violence…
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Peru – Still Awaiting the Multisectoral Strategic Plan for the Prevention of HIV and AIDS

Peru – Still Awaiting the Multisectoral Strategic Plan for the Prevention of HIV and AIDS

  • 1st October 2014
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In 2012, with the technical and financial support of UNAIDS, and a team of consultants, the Multisectoral Strategic Plan for the prevention and control of STIs, HIV and AIDS 2013-2017 (PEM) was designed, whose comprehensive perspective would integrate those policies that include protection to those affected, and key populations. Civil society organizations from different parts of the country, as well as representatives of various ministries and private companies participated in the process. Similarly, consultations were conducted in various regions of the country and included contributions from dozens of health care providers; all this in order to support the strategic axes, objectives, and activities of a plan that will guide the national response for five year. After almost two years of the finalization of the document, authorities keep it saved without official approval through a Ministerial resolution or decree, as it has happened in the past. According to various sources, the delay is because the document did not meet a certain change that must be present in order to be approved. Currently it is under review by the legal counsel of the Ministry of Health. Although today Peru offers free antiretroviral…
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