ZIMBABWE: ACTIVISM ESSENTIAL FOR SUCCESS IN ACCESS TO TREATMENT SOURCE: AF-AIDS eForum 2003: af-aids@healthdev.net Activism essential for success in access to treatment -Audrey Chihota, Zimbabwe ********************** Africans must become more active in campaigning for HIV/AIDS treatment initiatives in their communities. This was the key message emerging at a special discussion forum with Zackie Achmat, co-chair of the Treatment Action campaign, in Harare, Zimbabwe on Thursday, December 4, 2003. SAfAIDS (Southern Africa HIV/AIDS Information Dissemination Service) and HIVOS hosted the forum. The meeting was intended to be an opportunity for Zimbabweans to learn more about South Africa’s experiences in the treatment campaign and explore practicable solutions for the Zimbabwean situation. Achmat described the Treatment Action Campaign’s (TAC) experiences as ‘demanding’. He said that the last five years of the organisation’s existence have been the “darkest”. Among TAC’s challenges was the need to convince President Thabo Mbeki that HIV causes AIDS and to establish a campaign for administrating of Nevirapine to expectant mothers. The stoning to death of one member, Gugulethu Dlamini for having disclosed to her community that she was HIV positive, was a milestone in TAC’s development as it led to a campaign on reducing stigma and discrimination. TAC is well known for its massive demonstrations and outright challenges to the South African government for more attention to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Achmat said however, they are not in conflict with government but ‘whistle-blowers’ who ensure that the government takes up its responsibilities within the health sector. The South African government recently established a programme of treatment for all using public health funds – a major step in accessing treatment for all. Achmat challenged Zimbabwe and other African countries to work with their governments to develop similar plans of action to address the pandemic. In May 2003, a Zimbabwean organization was formed to actively advocate for HIV and AIDS treatment. Known as Zimbabwe Activists against HIV/AIDS (ZAHA), the organization has begun mobilizing support from all sectors of society. The experience of TAC has been a guiding light for ZAHA. Currently, in Zimbabwe, people living with HIV/AIDS make the decision to go on ARV treatment, yet the cost of the drugs are often beyond their reach. Though Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) is highly advertised, many people still avoid it because they feel that if they are positive, there is little treatment available. ZAHA spokesman, Tapiwa Kujinga says there is a flicker of hope as the government has declared the epidemic a state of emergency and established the HIV/AIDS Quality of Care Initiative (HAQOCI). Through this initiative, 60 nurses and doctors have been trained for the project throughout Zimbabwe. Two clinics for dealing with opportunistic infections have been set up and are functional in the country’s two cities, Harare and Bulawayo. The major challenges facing the implementation of the programme throughout the country were transport and logistics. During a question and answer period held after the presentations, it was suggested that programmes should be designed to enable medical professionals to administer treatment in the homes of those suffering from opportunistic infections rather than the reverse having people travel large distances to clinics. Poverty throughout Africa continues to be a major challenge in the implementation of treatment initiatives. Poverty was a key concern raised and participants at the forum. They argued that sometimes people had to make a choice between buying medication for opportunistic infections instead of buying good food. Lynde Frances, a Zimbabwean HIV/AIDS activist pointed out that it was vital that the two, both treatment and nutrition are provided together. Contributing to Zackie’s call for activism, she challenged all attending the forum to regard the acronym AIDS as “Am I Doing Something?” and ask themselves at an individual level what they are doing to contribute to the country’s HIV/AIDS response. More needs work needs to be done to ensure that everyone who needs treatment has access to it. HIV and AIDS is an epidemic that is affecting everyone in southern Africa and although the impact of the disease is overwhelming, if people join together as one, more can be done to fight it. Achmat emphasised that, “it is always important for all races to unite in the fight against HIV/AIDS if we are going to realize any success. For the future of the southern African region, it is essential that everyone works together to fight HIV and AIDS Audrey Chihota Email: audrey@safaids.org.zw