THE ELECTRONIC BULLETIN OF THE SWISS PLATFORM FOR HIV/AIDS AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

1. November 2010

Switzerland’s expenditure for international health promotion amounts to only 7,5 percent of the overall development cooperation and a poor 1 percent of bilateral aid for HIV prevention, treatment and support of people affected by AIDS (2008). However, in order to have universal access to comprehensive prevention, treatment, care and support and to push back the epidemic we would need seven to eight times as much already in this year.

These are the sobering results of the study commissioned by aidsfocus.ch together with the German and the Austrian Action against AIDS. The study with the title „Engagement gegen Aids. Versprechen sind nicht genug (Commitment against Aids. Promises are not enough)“ is collecting and analysing the financial contributions of the three countries on official development aid (ODA), health promotion and the response to the HIV epidemic.

All three countries got bad marks. Within the development cooperation of all three, health promotion is still considered to be of far lesser importance compared to what could be possible when looking at the prevailing economic power. And Switzerland is far behind if compared to the commitment in the HIV response, which amounts to a mere 1 percent of bilateral aid. Since 2005, Switzerland has never increased the financial contribution to the HIV response, although more resources are needed worldwide to comprehensively fight against the epidemic; and despite the fact that more options are available to prevent HIV and to treat those people that are affected.

The partner organisations of aidsfocus.ch decided at the Annual Assembly of aidfocus.ch on October 26, 2010, in Bern to increase its commitment to promote the relevance of health cooperation and the HIV response within Swiss development cooperation. aidsfocus.ch will remind the Swiss government about their promises and to urge them to assume responsibility and at last contribute with a fair share to finance the access to HIV-prevention and life-saving AIDS therapies. In addition, aidsfocus.ch intends to participate in the consultation process on the new government policies (Botschaften) as to development cooperation, humanitarian aid and Swiss cooperation with Eastern Europe 2013-17.

Helena Zweifel Executive Director Medicus Mundi Switzerland Coordinator aidsfocus.ch

Main Findings for Switzerland including updated target volumes based on current exchange rates, a report by Action against AIDS Germany, Aidsfocus.ch Switzerland and Action Alliance against HIV/Aids Austria. Brief version of “Engagement gegen Aids. Versprechen sind nicht genug” in English, as presented at the Annual Meeting of aidsfocus.ch, 26 October 2010 in Bern. Author: Joachim Rüppel, Medical Mission Institute Würzburg.

http://www.aidsfocus.ch

On the occasion of the aidsfocus.ch Meeting Point, Jabu Mthethwa of the Baphalali Swaziland Red Cross Society shared with partners and others her knowledge on counselling in the context of HIV and AIDS, based on extensive experience and training. Counselling is seen as one of the key elements in the success of early treatment and adherence. Jabu understands counselling basically as empowering the client to develop coping strategies. Counsellors need to be equipped with integrated counselling skills and be good communicators.

http://www.aidsfocus.ch

In cooperation with terre des hommes schweiz, aidsfocus.ch produced the new toolkit “Treasure memories” which includes the solution focused approach (SFA). Memory work helps people living with the virus and/or affected by AIDS to cope effectively with their personal situation, the disease, and an uncertain future. The memory work toolkit contains the following materials: A memory book, hero book, body map and tracing book, a DVD with films "Strength from remembering" and "Solution focused approach" and a CD with relevant information, resources and handbooks on memory work in electronic form. New: Available in English, French, German and Portuguese. It can be ordered from info@aidsfocus.ch.

http://www.aidsfocus.ch

An estimated 33 million people are living with HIV globally. More than 15 million children are orphans due to AIDS. In 2001, World Vision launched the Hope Initiative to respond to the HIV pandemic focusing on a community led response. In Africa, these communities have women, men, girls and boys who are making remarkable contributions in response to HIV and AIDS. This book honours those people. (2010)

http://www.wvi.org
http://www.aidsfocus.ch

Geneva, 25 October 2010 - Catholic churches in the central Swiss city of Lucerne have sparked controversy among believers with an AIDS awareness campaign that involves giving teenagers condoms bearing the slogan "protect thy neighbor as thyself." The churches started handing out some of the 3,000 condoms Monday as part of an effort to engage young people, many of whom may be turned off by the Vatican's long-standing opposition to the use of condoms, said a spokesman. The campaign is targeted at teenagers as young as 14 and includes talks to school classes about the devastating effect that AIDS is having in Africa.

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com

Geneva, 26 October, 2010 - “More than 7000 people are infected with HIV every day. We need a prevention revolution.” This is the message that UNAIDS is using to launch a social media initiative across Twitter and Facebook to revitalize interest in HIV Prevention in the lead up to World AIDS Day 2010. Starting 26 October, for six consecutive Tuesdays, UNAIDS will introduce a series of themes related to HIV prevention via discussions on Facebook, Twitter, and AIDSspace and through YouTube clips, interactive polls and quizzes. As part of the initiative, five animated films have been developed as conversation starters.

http://unaidstoday.org

Montreux, 22 October, 2010 - AIDS and the Global Fund Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and partners have joined together at the XIII Francophone summit in Montreux, Switzerland to explore ways of strengthening the response to HIV in francophone countries. Sharing expertise and knowledge in the AIDS response among the 70 francophone countries around the world could significantly reduce new HIV infections and increase access to HIV services for people most in need expanded. “By creating a pool of knowledge of what works best in the AIDS response, francophone nations can draw on these resources and apply them to the response in their own countries.” said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS.

http://unaidstoday.org

Johannesburg, 8 October 2010 - New modelling has offered governments and donors a glimpse into the future of HIV epidemics - and what it will cost to prevent and treat them. Researchers warn of hard choices ahead and a need for some countries to take more responsibility for their national programmes. Published in the 9 October edition of The Lancet medical journal, the study predicts that by 2031 – about 50 years into the HIV epidemic – annual new HIV infections will be roughly halved to about 1.2 million. According to the study, many of the middle-income countries, such as China, Mexico and Kazakhstan, could afford to domestically fund HIV programmes largely targeted at vulnerable populations. (PlusNews)

http://www.plusnews.org

Nairobi, 1 October 2010 - The US National Institutes of Health (NIH) has become the first patent holder to join the recently created Medicines Patent Pool, but unless other patent holders follow suit, the NIH's move will not increase access to HIV treatment. By licensing the life-prolonging antiretroviral (ARV), darunavir, to the patent pool, the NIH has made the technology to produce it available for the benefit of low- and middle-income countries. However, this does not mean generic versions of the drug can now be manufactured and sold in these countries as additional patents on darunavir are still held by the pharmaceutical company Tibotec, part of Johnson & Johnson. (PlusNews)

http://www.plusnews.org

Johannesburg, 30 September 2010 - Money, or the lack of it, is likely to be the deciding factor in meeting global health targets. This was one of the main messages to emerge from both the recent Millennium Development Goals (MDG) summit in New York, and the latest report by UNAIDS on progress towards achieving universal access to HIV prevention, treatment and care. Innovative financing mechanisms are attracting growing support from NGOs and some governments as alternative ways to bridge the funding gap. IRIN/PlusNews has compiled a list of six such initiatives. (PlusNews)

http://www.plusnews.org

The interconnections between conflict and HIV are complex. HIV affects the lives of many people caught up in conflict, including the civilian population, protagonists, as well as people whose role it is to provide security during and after conflicts. A special supplement on HIV has been published by the journal Forced Migration Review, with support from UNAIDS. The report emphasizes tailored programmes to ensure universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support to vulnerable groups must become an integral part of national HIV policies and strategies. (October 2010)

http://unaidstoday.org

More developing countries show universal access to HIV/AIDS services is possible and sustained commitments are necessary to secure future progress. This is the main message of the Progress report “Towards universal access” by WHO, UNICEF and UNAIDS. Remarkable progress in Eastern and Southern Africa, the region most severely affected by HIV, offers hope. Obstacles to scaling up HIV treatment persist in most countries, including funding shortages, limited human resources, and weak procurement and supply management systems for HIV drugs and diagnostics and other health systems bottlenecks. (September 2010)

http://www.who.int

A global consensus is emerging that accelerated progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and more efficient use of resources can be achieved by taking the AIDS response out of isolation and integrating it with efforts to achieve other health and development goals. The relationship between AIDS and the MDGs is reciprocal: investments in the AIDS repose advance all the MDGs and efforts to meet the eight Goals address the social drivers of the HIV epidemic. AIDS plus MDGs refers to an approach that recognizes and maximizes the AIDS response as essential to achieving the MDGs, and conversely, supports the role of the MDGs in achieving universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. (2010)

http://data.unaids.org

1. November – 17 December 2010. The International Development Law Organization (IDLO) combines in its electronic learning platform elements of experiential learning methodologies with online information technology. Overall course objective: By the end of this course participants will be able to use the law and legal policy for an effective response to HIV and AIDS. Target audience: The course is primarily for participants from, or working in, developing countries, countries in economic transition, and countries emerging from armed conflict. Additional information and applications:

http://www.idlo.int
http://www.aidsfocus.ch

Basel | The developing countries are faced with a crisis on two fronts: food prices skyrocketed in 2007/2008 and the food situation has deteriorated once more as a result of the economic crisis. We know from previous crises that food quality suffers above all and that this has long-term consequences for health. Health, nutrition and development are all closely interlinked. The ninth symposium being organized by the Medicus Mundi Switzerland network will be discussing experience and successful strategies for ensuring a nutrient-rich diet as part of comprehensive healthcare provision. Information and registration:

http://www.medicusmundi.ch

Around the world | World AIDS Day is celebrated on December 1 each year around the world. It has become one of the most recognised international health days and a key opportunity to raise awareness, commemorate those who have passed on, and celebrate victories such as increased access to treatment and prevention services. The theme for World AIDS Day 2010 is Universal Access and Human Rights. Global leaders have pledged to work towards universal access to HIV and AIDS treatment, prevention and care, recognising these as fundamental human rights.

http://www.worldaidscampaign.org

Bern | UNAIDS, the International AIDS Society, the Global Fund and other international bodies are aware of the need of better integration of HIV/AIDS, reproductive and sexual health and rights and other key health priorities. At the local level, many NGOs already work in an integrated way. However, many challenges emerge. Based on experience of partner organisations and their South partners and following up the global discussion level, the conference will discuss challenges of HIV and reproductive health in policy and practice. Please note the date.

http://www.aidsfocus.ch

Partners: Afro-European Medical and Research Network, AIDS & Child, Berne Declaration, Caritas Switzerland, cinfo, CO-OPERAID, FEPA, Fédération Genevoise de Coopération, Gemeinschaft St. Anna-Schwestern, HEKS, IAMANEH Switzerland, INTERTEAM, Kindernothilfe Schweiz, Kwa Wazee, medico international Switzerland, mediCuba-Suisse, missio, REPSSI, SolidarMed, Swiss Aids Care International, Swiss Aids Federation, missio, mission 21, Swiss Aids Care International, Swiss Catholic Lenten Fund, Swiss MIVA, Swiss Red Cross, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Tear Fund, Terre des hommes Foundation, terre des hommes schweiz, and World Vision Switzerland.

http://www.aidsfocus.ch