Julian Atim, MD

Human Rights Advocate in Uganda

"I think AIDS is not the problem but the violation of human rights that has many times led to vulnerable people acquiring the disease."

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Health Action AIDS

Advocacy Partnerships in Africa

OVERVIEW

African Health Professionals and AIDS Activism

Health professionals from African countries can provide strong national and international leadership to promote sound HIV/AIDS funding, prevention, treatment and care policy. In addition to their expertise in clinical care, African health professionals have enormous power to contribute to their nations' fight against AIDS.

The Issues

African health workers are on the front lines of the fight against AIDS and bring a unique perspective to critical policy debates and issues facing African nations effected by HIV/AIDS, including:

Funding: In many African countries, increases in health funding have not translated into speedy delivery of life-saving drugs. Health professionals can monitor and press for efficient distribution of drugs, equipment and financial resources.
Health Worker Support: Many nurses, doctors and medical students struggle with insufficient salaries and career paths, as well as inadequate supplies of gloves, post-exposure prophylaxis and critical vaccines, causing many to immigrate to other countries to find work. By organizing together, they can demand that government and donors improve clinic safety and health worker support—critical interventions which will encourage African health professionals build careers in their own countries.
Stigma: Stigma in communities and health settings remains a major barrier to prevention and treatment. By conducting workshops and trainings on stigma, health professionals can break down stereotypes and move towards health care free of discrimination.

Learn more:

Ugandan students participate in a training on the stigma associated with AIDS.

A Kenyan medical student signs a petition.

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