THE ELECTRONIC BULLETIN OF THE SWISS PLATFORM FOR HIV/AIDS AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION April 2009

The upcoming public referendum of May 17, 2009 on the „Future of Complementary Medicine“ has re-kindled the discussion about the effectiveness of homeopathy, Traditional Chinese Medicine and other forms of non-conventional treatment. However, there is not much passion in the public debate. Only a few people voice their fundamental rejection of Complementary Medicine. The discussion is mainly about who is paying and which form should definitely be included into the basic insurance plan.

The Swiss population often resorts to Complementary Medicine. According surveys, up to 70 per cent of the population use this soft cure. And according studies in connection with HIV and Aids, between 60 and 80 per cent of the people living with HIV or AIDS use at least occasionally Comprehensive Medicine treatments. These treatments seem to make sense in particular when the HIV-infection has not yet progressed very much; and they contribute to maintain or improve the quality of life.

Complementary Medicine is most commonly used in the countries of the South. This is especially true for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is hardest hit by the AIDS epidemic. There is a great need for doctors, clinics or hospitals, and people do not have the money to consult the doctor or to get treatment. If people get sick, 80 per cent of them first go to see traditional healers. Because they have no access to anti-retroviral therapies, they search for other ways and means to delay the outbreak of AIDS or to treat opportunistic illnesses.

Traditional healers have the potential to play a central role in the fight against the epidemic. Within their communities, traditional healers are persons commanding respect. They know how to communicate and to be listened in a culturally adapted way. Therefore, if they are trained accordingly, they are in the ideal position to speak to the people about HIV-prevention, to distribute condoms, to share advice and to encourage undergoing the HIV-test, as well as to form support groups for affected people. The role and opportunities of traditional healers is one of the issues of the upcoming aidsfocus.ch Conference on May 6 in Berne. Under the title „Culture and condoms. Integrating approaches to HIV“ the Conference will among others host the Bengali doctor Dr. Shariful Islam who is going to report about the successful cooperation between traditional healers and conventional doctors in the HIV-prevention in Bangladesh.

Are you interested? Please register a.s.a.p. for the Conference now! http://www.aidsfocus.ch

Helena Zweifel Coordinator aidsfocus.ch

1. FOCUS 2. NEWS 3. NEW RESSOURCES 4. EVENTS

Alternative and complementary medicine is quite popular among people living with HIV. In relation to HIV, alternative therapies are most commonly used in areas where it is difficult to access Western medicine. In sub-Saharan Africa, for example, traditional healers outnumber medically qualified doctors eighty-to-one. Traditional healers also usually provide immediate treatment, whereas clinics may have lengthy waiting lists and tests for eligibility. The AVERT website provides a good overview and recent links:

http://www.avert.org

Early attempts to combine the best of the traditional and the modern systems in sub-Saharan Africa included a variety of projects that looked at the usefulness of traditional herbal remedies for the treatment of HIV-related illnesses. Studies looking at traditional healers’ perceptions of sexually transmitted infections and HIV infection were also conducted. With this information, collaborative projects began, training traditional healers as educators and counsellors to disseminate information on HIV and sexually transmitted infections. (UNAIDS 2007)

http://data.unaids.org

The Awards for Action on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights — jointly awarded by the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network and Human Rights Watch — recognize excellence and long-term commitment to work having a direct impact on HIV/AIDS and human rights issues, in particular work that is of direct relevance to marginalized individuals and communities. Nominations are invited both for individuals and organizations working at the community level and for those operating at national and international levels. Nominations must be received before 5 P.M. EDT ON FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2009.

http://www.aidslaw.ca

The summary report of the first annual Strategic Planning Symposium 2008 of the African-European Medical and Research Network (AEMRN) reflects the wider range of presentations and discussions. It focused on knowledge management, resource mobilisation and sustained HIV/AIDS research in Sub-Saharan Africa.

http://www.aemrnetwork.ch

Rio de Janeiro, 20 April 2009 - Men don't cry. Men take risks. Men don't ask for help. Men are strong. Men have many sexual partners. These stereotypes of masculinity are contributing to the spread of HIV throughout the world, experts warned at a recent symposium on men and boys. Studies have shown that among men knowledge about their health was lower than among women, and reproductive health was generally considered a women’s subject. When this lack of knowledge is compounded by another macho stereotype – that seeking help is a sign of weakness – men’s health is at far higher risk. (PlusNews)

http://www.plusnews.org

Mbabane, 15 April 2009 - Anecdotal evidence that entrenched cultural beliefs among Swazis actively encourage the spread of HIV/AIDS has been confirmed by a joint government and UN report. The study by UN the Population Fund (UNFPA) and Swaziland's Ministry of Health and Social Welfare - The State of the Swaziland Population - echoes warnings by local NGOs that "AIDS cannot be stopped unless there is a change in people's sexual behaviour." Swazis still believe that a woman's role is to bear children continuously, and that a man's role is to impregnate multiple partners. (IRIN)

http://www.plusnews.org

Maseno, 7 April 2009 - Young people have always been adept at creating witty ways to describe everyday life, but the language they use can be hurtful to people living with HIV. Western Kenya's Maseno University is now helping its students to stop using insensitive, stigmatizing language. Slang terms in the Kiswahili language, commonly used to refer to HIV, include "mdudu", a word for a small creepy-crawly. Several universities, including Maseno, now also have compulsory HIV courses that all students must take as a prerequisite to graduation. (PlusNews)

http://www.plusnews.org

Through this report, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) shares its experience in providing medical care, counselling and other forms of support to thousands of victims of sexual violence in many countries around the world. The report is partly born out of outrage about the inexcusable acts that these people have been subjected to and the damage inflicted upon their lives. It demonstrates why it is imperative to make immediate care available, and truly accessible, for those who have been sexually assaulted. (2009)

http://www.azg.be

An estimated 650 million people, or 10% of the world’s population, have a disability. Although people with disabilities are found within the populations at higher risk of exposure to HIV, not much attention has been paid to the relationship between HIV and disability. The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR) have collaborated on a policy brief that explores the links between HIV and disability and makes recommendations for policy change. (April 2008)

http://www.unaids.org

With HIV expanding across Asia, there is an urgent need to equip teachers with the knowledge and skills to play an effective role in HIV preventive education. This information kit is aimed at assisting and guiding school teachers in dealing with challenges related to HIV and AIDS in the school setting, including countering community resistance to HIV and AIDS education, addressing stigma and discrimination and reducing risk behaviours. (UNESCO Bangkok 2008)

http://www.eldis.org

Mainstreaming PSS into Paediatric HIV treatment focusing on the wellbeing of the whole child is the main focus of this comprehensive package by REPSSI which is designed for health care workers working with Children and Families affected by HIV and AIDS. The psychosocial aspects of paediatric HIV treatment are very closely linked to the biomedical ones. Adherence, treatment literacy, disclosure and stigma are all irrevocably linked to treatment outcomes. The emphasis is on keeping children out of bed, healthy, active, happy and normal. (2009)

http://www.myrepssi.org

Issue 5 of C-Change Picks examines multiple concurrent partnerships (MCP) as a social norm in Southern Africa and its impact on HIV prevalence in the region. The issue highlights regional and local perceptions and knowledge related to the practice, existing initiatives that are addressing the attitudes and behaviours related to the practice. Also included is a handbook for journalists on culture, HIV and AIDS, and MCP reporting. (April 2009)

http://www.comminit.com

Bern | aidsfocus.ch conference: Conceptions of health and disease, and related beliefs, traditional practices and the use of medicinal plants are rooted in culture and have an impact on behaviour and how people cope with the epidemic. Responses to HIV and AIDS need to be culturally appropriate, gender and age responsive, grounded in human rights and involve people living with HIV at all stages. Based on experiences and knowledge of partner organisations and others, cultural sensitive approaches to prevention, treatment, care and support of partner organisations are explored. Program and registration:

http://www.aidsfocus.ch
http://www.aidsfocus.ch

Biel | HIV and AIDS are a sad reality in a number of countries involved in International Cooperation (IC). It affects not only every aspect of the lives of the people concerned, but also considerably impacts the life and work of IC expatriate personnel. This seminar has the objective of working with participants so that they can better manage this challenge. Information and registration:

http://www.cinfo.ch

Partners: Afro-European Medical and Research Network, AIDS & Child, Bethlehem Mission Immensee, Caritas Switzerland, cinfo, CO-OPERAID, Déclaration de Berne, Doctors without Borders, Esperanza Medicines Foundation, 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 Institute, Tear Fund, Terre des hommes Foundation, terre des hommes schweiz, and World Vision Switzerland.