June 2006

Strengthening HIV Service Delivery
Studies focus on care and treatment in India, Kenya, and South Africa

Health workers like this Kenyan nurse, Teresa Mugambi, are the backbone of HIV treatment and care service delivery. Photo credit: Louis Apicella

In the ongoing battle against HIV, medical advancements have played a critical role in preventing infections, managing the disease, and saving lives. With key developments such as rapid HIV tests and antiretroviral therapy (ART), there is new hope for the estimated 40 million people currently living with HIV worldwide. And with cutting-edge technology, such as a once-daily treatment pill on the immediate horizon, there is further cause for optimism.

However, despite encouraging advancements, it is important to remember that medical progress alone is not enough to limit the impact of HIV and AIDS in the years ahead. Equally essential to technological breakthroughs is the expansion and strengthening of health systems to deliver them. Effective delivery of treatment, testing, and care and support services must be made a priority. This requires a renewed commitment to find solutions to overcome the constraints health systems face.

This issue of Horizons Report addresses several key topics related to the delivery of quality health services to people living with HIV. These include reducing AIDS-related stigma and discrimination in hospitals, expanding children’s access to antiretroviral therapy, protecting health workers from occupational exposure to HIV, and equipping voluntary counseling and testing and ART providers to address alcohol use among clients. The insights and lessons learned discussed in the articles are drawn from operations research conducted in India, Kenya, and South Africa. Each has important implications for policy makers and program managers tasked with strengthening health systems and safeguarding their communities.

© 2006 The Population Council, Inc.

See Also

• FRONTIERS

• Population Council – Infants and Children

• Population Council – Journals and Newsletters

• Population Council – Policy Development

• Population Council – Prevention

• Population Council – Stigma and Discrimination

• Population Council – Treatment, Care and Support

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This page updated 21 July 2006

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