The Asia Pacific region is the worst affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic after the Sub-Sahara region. According to the latest UNADS estimates, at the end of 2001 the region had 6.6 million people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), including one million new infections in that year alone.

Lack of government support and political commitment is some countries, acutely insufficient care and support facilities, lack of access to ARVs, failure to include PLWHA in policies and programmes, frequent violation of human rights, and a general lack of enabling environment and economic means are among the factors that severely impact upon PLWHA, hindering their meaningful participation in prevention, care and support initiatives.

The lives of PLWHA will only improve if governments within the region begin to show more commitment to the full involvement of PLWHA in policies and implementation and provide them with a more supportive environment in terms of policies, funds and programmes.

PLWHA fear that the current apathy will prevent any meaningful implementation of the GIPA (Greater Involvement of People with AIDS) Principles, adopted at the Paris AIDS summit in 1994, and will continue to hamper PLWHAs’ effective participation in the fight against the epidemic.

Addressing a press conference, the president of the Indian Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS, K K Abraham, said, “We, people living with HIV/AIDS, have realised our responsibility to check the spread of the epidemic and mitigate its impact on people long ago. But I have to confess that the response form the stakeholders like the governments and the national and international agencies has been rather feeble.”

Gina Gonzales, human rights convenor with APN+ in Manila, said: “PLWHA have given faces to the epidemic, risking their lives to save the lives of others. We are the ones who can reach those who are vulnerable and we are the ones who can talk to those who are afraid of seeking help.”

“Asia holds the key to the future of the global epidemic”, said Dr Peter Piot, executive director of UNAIDS. “It is home to one-third of humanity and the potential for the spread of HIV in the region is high.” Piot said that the groundwork has been done for increased commitment by Governments. “The UN Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS provides a wider and stronger reference point for action against AIDS. The only way to stop the epidemic is greater involvement and participation of PLWHA in formulating of AIDS policies.”

Speaking on India, Piot stressed that AIDS should be the priority agenda of the chief minister of every state in India. Governments and international agencies should gradually increase the amount of money spent on AIDS programmes.

Millly Katana, GIPA expert from Uganda and member of the Global fund, expressed her worry about the situation in Asia. She stressed the need to put the PLWHA in the forefront of planning and implementation of AIDS programmes and policies. Issues of human rights, advocacy, support measures that prevent stigma and supporting environment are of urgent need. “We cannot afford to wait in Asia, political commitment and resources are needed for investment.”

PLWHA are central to the response to the epidemic, but their involvement has not crossed the stage of tokenism. In true partnership, GIPA cannot be mere tokenism, but should amount to participation in every respect of the response. If you do not understand the problems of people living with HIV/AIDS you do not understand the virus.

AIDS 2002 Conference News produced by Health & Development Networks/Key Correspondent Team