Outcomes of the forum: HIV/AIDS and the community: The past, present and future

31 January 2007

  • Community involvement and participation in HIV prevention, care and service delivery need to be given adequate attention as part of the national response to the HIV epidemic.
  • Although federal government initiatives and political will on HIV/AIDS is commendable, efforts are needed to increase the uptake of voluntary confidential counselling and testing (VCCT) services, since VCCT is a pivotal entry to prevention, treatment, care and support. VCCT should also be integrated into the national health care system.
  • Decentralisation of antiretroviral (ARV) administration and treatment into primary health care centres is crucial to providing comprehensive care and treatment to people living with HIV/AIDS.
  • The federal government, through the National Action Committee on AIDS, and with the active involvement of key stakeholders, should develop a training module on ARV adherence counselling that can be widely disseminated.
  • Civil society organisations are better placed to reach all communities through their networks and branches if empowered technically and financially.
  • The meaningful involvement of people living with HIV/AIDS in community-based HIV/AIDS work is a key strategy towards reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS.
  • The Nigerian Government should intensify efforts to mobilise funds locally to complement donor support and ensure sustainability of the national response to HIV/AIDS.
  • Implementation of tuberculosis/HIV/AIDS/malaria collaborative activities at all levels of government will improve the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS.
  • The Civil Society on HIV/AIDS Association of Nigeria (CISHAN) should take the lead on advocacy activities through mobilisation of their state and zonal chapters.
  • The Ambassador of Hope Mission in Nigeria should be supported to widen their scope and operations across Nigeria.
  • Prevention of mother-to-child transmission programmes need to be brought closer to the community through the primary health care system.
  • The National Action Committee on AIDS and their state and local government counterparts should intensify efforts to build the capacity of community-based organisations in the control of the HIV epidemic.
  • Anti-stigma activities need to be scaled up.
  • HIV/AIDS prevention activities should be strengthened.
  • Orphan and vulnerable children programmes should be expanded and implemented nationally.