Tackling
the HIV epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa is a long-term task that requires
sustained effort and planning from both domestic governments and the
international community.
Moreover, HIV prevention campaigns that have been
successful in sub-Saharan Africa need to be repeated, but also scaled up,
especially in response to the 2013 World Health Organization guidelines.
As
the HIV epidemic develops, countries in sub-Saharan Africa will need to assess
how to allocate what are currently limited treatment resources.
There are also
more fundamental barriers to overcome, particularly HIV-related stigma and
discrimination, the issue of gender inequality and HIV-specific criminal
legislation.
Removing such barriers would encourage more people to get tested
and seek out treatment, reducing the burden of HIV across the region.
While attending a meeting sponsored by Gilead pharmaceuticals, we were encouraged to pay attention to this issue . As human service workers , it is crucial to take care of the whole person , not just medical but social needs.