Health Care Workers and HIV/AIDS

November 16, 2009

 

BDI 04-03-23

Matthew Lester/MCC

Prevention and treatment often dominate conversations about HIV/AIDS.  While these are critical ingredients to combating the spread of HIV/AIDS, it is also necessary to address the need for strengthening health systems.  Before a person can benefit from education about prevention or receive anti-retroviral treatment, a health care workforce must be in place.

 

Low-income countries currently face a severe shortage of health workers.  Sub-Saharan Africa, where the bulk of MCC’s HIV/AIDS programming operates, is currently experiencing a shortage of 1.5 million health workers.  In Africa, according to the WHO, 3% of the world’s health workers struggle to combat 24% of the global disease burden with less than 1% of the world’s health expenditures.  A World Bank official has described the “desperate shortage” of health workers as the “most difficult challenge” in implementing HIV/AIDS treatment programs.

Last year’s reauthorization of PEPFAR, set the target of training and supporting the retention of at least 140,000 new health professionals.  USAID has pledged to increase the number of community health workers by at least 100,000 by 2013 for maternal and child health programs.

These plans to increase the number of health care workers are essential to strengthening health systems and thereby improving prevention and treatment for HIV/AIDS.

This is the second in a series of weekly blog posts leading up to World AIDS Day on December 1.  Click here to learn more about MCC’s HIV/AIDS programming and here to learn more about HIV/AIDS policy.

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Posted by Mary Stata

A Step Backwards for the Fight Against HIV/AIDS

November 9, 2009

It’s no secret that the global economy’s near collapse in 2008 had a widespread effect.  In addition to lay-offs and

UGA 05-09-013 (1)

LaShinda Clark/MCC

mortgage foreclosures, Wall Street’s tumble has had significant implications on funding for HIV/AIDS programs.

 

Until the economic crisis, funding for HIV/AIDS has steadily increased in recent years.  This global allocation of resources has succeeded in declining AIDS deaths worldwide.  Now, HIV/AIDS programs face significant funding slowdowns.  Dr Tido von Schoen-Angerer of Doctor’s Without Borders aptly notes:

“After almost a decade of progress in rolling out AIDS treatment we have seen substantial improvements, both for patients and public health. But recent funding cuts mean doctors and nurses are being forced to turn HIV patients away from clinics as if we were back in the 1990s before treatment was available.”

This funding slowdown has caused some countries, including Tanzania, Uganda, Swaziland, and South Africa, to pull back planned services.  According to the World Bank, over 1.7 million people could be at risk by the end of 2009.

PEPFAR (President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief) and the Global Fund are two programs that have effectively produced results in treating and preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS.  Consistent increases in funding and resources directly contributed to these successes.  It is clear that further budget cuts will be a step backwards and that the United States needs to fulfill its promise to scale up funding for the fight against HIV/AIDS.

This is the first in a series of weekly blog posts leading up to World AIDS Day on December 1.  Click here to learn more about MCC’s HIV/AIDS programming and here to learn more about HIV/AIDS policy.

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Posted by Mary Stata

Capital Quote: 10/30/2009

October 30, 2009

“If we want to be the global leader in combatting HIV/AIDS, we need to act like it.”

Obama

AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

 

- President Barack Obama, October 30, in remarks announcing that the U.S. will overturn a 22-year-old travel and immigration ban against people with HIV early next year.

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Posted by Mary Stata

HIV/AIDS and Conflict

September 23, 2009
Melissa Engle/MCC

Melissa Engle/MCC

A new report from the Social Science Research Council examines the relationship between HIV/AIDS, security and conflict.  In addition to discussing the “mutually reinforcing dynamics linking” these three elements, the report offers several policy recommendations.  Here are a few highlights:

  • Align HIV and sexual violence prevention and response.
  • Increase continuity of HIV and AIDS responses during post-conflict transitions.
  • Address HIV and AIDS in fragile states.  Local governments, community and family care arrangements must be strengthened.

Click here to read an executive summary of the report.  Click here to read about MCC’s HIV/AIDS programming.

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Posted by Mary Stata

And Many Were Healed: Health Care for All (Part 2)

July 1, 2009

AbundantLife_mark_WEB

For the past 15 years, the United States has enforced a travel ban on people living with HIV/AIDS.  This ban has prevented students, researchers, and refugess affected by the illness from working in the US or obtaining a green card.  A Voice of America article explains

The US Congressional reauthorization of PEPFAR, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, in July, 2008, lifted a 15-year ban on HIV-positive foreign nationals from entering the United States.  On Tuesday, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) initiated the final regulatory steps toward halting implementation of the ban.

The policy was initially enacted based on fear and misinformation about HIV/AIDS.   Only twelve other countries in the world, including Saudi Arabia and Libya, still enforce travel bans on HIV positive foreign nationals.

Health care is the first theme of the Washington Office’s campaign Abundant Life: Economic Justice for All.  Visit washington.mcc.org/life for resources and information.  This post is the second of a weekly series that will highlight an aspect of health care until July 19, 2009.

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Posted by Mary Stata

And Many Were Healed: Health Care for All (Part 1)

June 23, 2009

AbundantLife_mark_WEBHealth care is the first theme of the Washington Office’s campaign Abdundant Life: Economic Justice for All. Visit washington.mcc.org/life for resources and information.   This post is the first of a weekly series that will highlight an aspect of health care until July 19, 2009.

Last week, Congress approved $100 million for the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis.  The global health financing institution has provided over$14.9 billion in grants to 140 countries since its inception.  Earlier this year, the Global Fund announced a $5 billion funding shortfall through 2010.

Even though $100 million is not enough to address the massive funding gap, it is twice the amount the Senate wanted to give and $100 million more than President Obama’s request.

MCC is also helping to combat HIV/AIDS through its Generations at Risk initiative.  This initiative provides direct care for people living with HIV/AIDS, supports children orphaned by the disease, teaches prevention and addressesthe poverty and injustices that perpetuate the spread of the disease.  Visit mcc.org/aids to learn more.

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Posted by Mary Stata

Capitol Quote 5/19/09

May 19, 2009

Nyaboni KairoEradicating global poverty starts with the health of the world’s poor.  It starts with empowering them physically to contribute to the vitality of their countries.  This benefits them as much as the rest of us, who want healthy partners with which to trade and do business.  This makes as much good sense for the world’s poor as for our collective international economic growth.    - Former Senator Bill Frist (MD) in a recent op-ed.

Click here to read the rest of the article.

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Posted by Mary Stata

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