Student Advocacy

Students Taking Action on Global AIDS

World AIDS Day 2007 Video Postcard Project

Strengthening health systems is essential to winning the fight against AIDS. On World AIDS Day, we have an opportunity to educate policy makers about the need to strengthen health systems and to ensure the fundamental right to health.

We are collecting video postcards from students and health professionals who are concerned about HIV/AIDS and human rights. Add your voice to this call and send a loud, clear message to your policy makers.

To get started, read the instructions for creating a video, or jump to a sample script.

View videos that have already been submitted in response to Pete's video.

Instructions:

1. Log in to your YouTube Account (if you don’t have one, you can sign up for an account.
2. Create your video! Here are a few tips:
   1. Make it look good. Speak slowly and clearly, and keep the camera steady.
   2. Be concise. Your video should be no more than 1-2 minutes long (Pete's postcard is only 40 seconds long).
   3. Be personal. Your perspective is important.
   4. Feel free to use the sample script provided below.
   5. For more tips, visit YouTube’s help section.
3. Upload your video. If you run into problems, see YouTube's help section for uploading videos.
   When you're uploading, be sure to:
   1. Include “PHRWAD2007” as a tag.
   2. In the description, include your name, city, state, names of the member(s) of Congress you are addressing, and the PHR Health Action AIDS website: https://physiciansforhumanrights.org/hiv-aids/
   3. Choose “News and Politics” for Category
4. Send the link of your video to Pete Witzler, at pwitzler@phrusa.org
5. Subscribe to PHR's YouTube channel by visiting our page and clicking the orange “Subscribe” button on the left side of the page.
6. View the “PHR’s World AIDS Day Video Postcard Project” video. Post the video you created by clicking the blue “Post a Video Response” link in the comments area. Use the “Choose a Video” tab on the next screen and select the title of the video you created.
7. Once your video is posted, please help spread the word by sharing it with your friends, family, colleagues and others. Be sure to favorite your video and everyone else’s and rate with 5 stars, this helps boost exposure of the campaign.

Sample Script:

Feel free to use the sample script and suggested talking points below. Your members of Congress are most interested in hearing you describe why HIV/AIDS, strengthening health systems, and the right to health are important to you. So, please personalize your message.

Begin by speaking a little about yourself:

Clearly state your name, what city and state you live in, and what school you attend (if applicable).

Say whom the message is for (which member(s) of Congress). If you are unsure, just address it to your Senators or learn who your Representative is.

Describe why this issue is important to you:

“As a health professional student, I realize that continued advances in the fight against HIV/AIDS cannot be won without investing in health systems…”

“My trip to Africa showed me that AIDS is a devastating crisis and that crippled health systems are driving the pandemic (personal story)…”

Tell your member of Congress what you want:

“The US has been a global leader in the fight against AIDS, but we cannot sustain our progress unless we begin to fight for the fundamental right to health. Governments must build health systems that are available, accessible, affordable and of good quality.

To make this a reality, the US must provide bold leadership. By strengthening health systems in Africa, you can ensure that everyone enjoys their right to the highest attainable standard of health. On World AIDS Day, I urge you to lead the world in making the right to health for all Africans a reality.”

Facts and Suggested Talking Points:

In Ethiopia, there are only 2,000 doctors serving 75 million people; this is comparable to 16 doctors in all of Washington DC coping with simultaneous pandemics of AIDS, TB and malaria. In fact, there are more than 4,000 doctors in Washington, DC to care for its 600,000 people.

The first challenge many people face in receiving health care, especially in rural areas, is simply reaching a functioning health facility. Eighty percent of Tanzanians live in rural areas – the average walk to a health facility is 10 kilometers.

For some people, AIDS no longer carries a death sentence. Thanks to advances in research, people receiving antiretroviral treatment are living long and productive lives. The drugs exist, but miniscule health budgets compounded with logistical problems mean that many people cannot access even the most basic medicines.

The problem is not just that health facilities lack drugs, equipment, and supplies. The equipment they do have often doesn't work. According to WHO, "Over 50% of medical equipment in developing countries is not functioning, not used correctly, and invariably not maintained."

Learn more about strengthening African health systems.