HIV and AIDS Implementers' Meeting report

“We know what works – so let's use this knowledge,” she told HIV and AIDS Implementers' Meeting attended by more than 1,500 participants worldwide in Kigali, Rwanda on Monday, 18 June 2007.

Under the theme: “Scaling Up Through Partnerships”, the main aim of four-day meeting is for delegates to exchange lessons learned from their efforts to prevent and treat HIV and AIDS and how best to care for sufferers.

Mulenga noted that although children had increasingly become important in the agendas of policymakers, only 15% of children in need had access to antiretroviral treatment.

“Partners, including governments and donors, must increase and expand social services that will provide children in need with treatment, as well as protect them from HIV and the impact of AIDS,” she added.

The delegates at the meeting are also discussing how best to maintain quality control in the prevention, treatment and care programmes and how to better coordinate efforts with each other.

World Health Organisation Director of the HIV and AIDS department, Kevin De Cock, said the combined efforts of donors, affected nations, UN agencies and national authorities were providing substantial, ongoing progress in access to HIV services.

“This meeting will allow partners to share important lessons learned during the implementation of multisectoral HIV and AIDS programs,” said De Cock.

The Minister of State, Innocent Nyaruhirira who is also in charge of HIV and AIDS and other epidemics in the Rwanda Ministry of Health, noted that the meeting will focus on the future directions of HIV and AIDS programs, with a strong emphasis on implementing and identifying critical barriers and best practices.

“We in Rwanda strongly believe that united we can build a world released from poverty related diseases among which are HIV, Malaria and Tuberculosis, particularly among the newborns and the youth.

“This can be achieved through the kind of partnerships we are experiencing here in Kigali,” he said.

UNAIDS Executive Director Peter Piot said the meeting would give UNAIDS a key opportunity to share their expertise and technical know-how with partners working on the ground.

“Together we will address the practical implementation challenges, share experiences of what is working and where improvements are needed.

“This will be critical in establishing the next steps to scaling up the AIDS response towards universal access and making sure the money works,” added Piot.

Article published courtesy of BuaNews