|
|
 |
Joint task team's summary report on providing HIV/AIDS treatment in the public health sector
01 August 2003. Joint Health and Treasury Task Team Summary Report.
|
Government is committed to developing a comprehensive response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, based on the premise that HIV causes AIDS, and that there is currently no known cure for AIDS. International best practice indicates the need for a comprehensive national programme, embracing preventive strategies, good quality medical treatment and strong support. Government in particular sees the fight against HIV/AIDS as being anchored in a multi-pronged developmental intervention, in which the fight against poverty and underdevelopment are central.
In July 2002, Government established a joint Health/Treasury task team to investigate issues relating to the financing of an enhanced response to HIV/AIDS, based on the national strategy as further elaborated in the April 17 2002, October 9 2002 and March 19 2003 Cabinet statements. A particular focus of the task team was on the second component of the national strategy, treatment, care and support for those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. The team was tasked to assess in detail the resource requirements that would attend any decision on the introduction of antiretroviral therapy as an additional component in our treatment response. The terms of reference setting up the joint task team were mainly focused on the financing aspect. However in the course of the discussions of the draft report it became clear that it was vital to contextualise the work of the task team in a continuum of the different elements that constitute our comprehensive response.
In particular it is important to ensure that the discussion on the possible introduction of the ARV component in the public health system does not remove the focus on other elements of the response which no doubt are more critical.
This specifically refers to the area of prevention as well as to interventions in the period after detection of a positive HIV test to the stage of a low CD4 count (below 200). During this period, health and the quality of life can be significantly improved in those who are HIV positive by a series of interventions aimed at supporting the immune system. Key interventions would include lifestyle choices, good nutrition, the use of appropriate immune supplements and early detection and treatment of infections.
This report is a summary of the findings of the Joint Health and Treasury Task Team
The summary report can be downloaded on the righthand side of this page |
| Was this article helpful to you? |
 ?33%???? ?67%
|
|
Back
|
|
|
|
