The International Treatment Preparedness Coalition (ITPC) provides community driven grant making to organizations working on HIV/AIDS issues around the world.
ITPC’s HIV Collaborative Fund supports community based advocacy and education, empowering civil society to make funding decisions that work towards ‘health for all’ amongst some of the most marginalized populations. This short video chronicles the work of ITPC supported projects in East, West and Central Africa, where ITPC funding is provided to community-based organizations such as Action Sante Plus and Amepouh in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire and Maritime Life Precious Foundation in Takoradi, Ghana, Secours Avicole et VIH/SIDA (SECAV) in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda Young Positives in Kampala, Uganda.
In East West and Central Africa, only 40% of those needing HIV treatment are receiving it. This means that for many, a HIV diagnosis equals death due to financial and socio-cultural barriers, weak and inadequate health care systems and widespread stigma and discrimination. In a time when leaders on the global stage trumpet the possibility of the end of AIDS, this statistic shows us the stark reality. We have the scientific and medical know how to end AIDS, but this cannot be realized whilst universal treatment remains a distant goal. At risk populations, including youth, women, men who have sex with men (MSM), commercial sex workers (CSWs), and People who use Drugs (PUDs) are denied access and information to HIV prevention and treatment services due to legal and socio-cultural barriers which force them underground and isolated from health care services.
The ITPC Small Grant Making program is one of the largest community-driven funding mechanisms for HIV. In East, West and Central Africa more than US$5 million in small grants has been awarded to 250 community organizations providing HIV treatment access, literacy and advocacy. The video provides a snapshot of peer-based prevention and treatment programs, where People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and affected communities are given advice and support on leading full, productive, enriching lives and empowered to passing on their knowledge and experiences.
Community based organizations are best suited to serve the needs of their people, and address the barriers that impede access to universal treatment and HIV prevention services. For the ‘invisible populations’ that fall through the cracks, these organizations are critical for survival. It is only by investing in communities that we can begin to envision the end of AIDS.
Sylvere B. Bukiki ITPC Regional Director, West Africa says that by using small grants, big things are able to be accomplished. Until we come to a time when the Alma Mata declaration of ‘health for all’ is enshrined in national law and effective implementation mechanisms are enforced, the all-important work of community-based organizations is critical to saving and improving lives.
To keep up-to-date with the work of ITPC network members, join their mailing list at http://www.itpcglobal.org/it or follow them on Facebook or Twitter.
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