Comments on: National HIV/AIDS Strategy: Working Across Agency Lines

By: Michael G. de Jong

Michael G. de Jong — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 07:37:47 +0000

Hello,
I’m an ex-pat living in Europe since ’84, in Holland since ’88. I’ve had the Hiv virus and Hep C since June ’92. When I read about all the problems, fear, people have back in America about “what now” after they recieve the “news”, well, I consider myself VERY lucky to be living here. ALL the medical costs are covered by the Dutch Health System…and I mean ALL the costs. I simply can not understand WHY the medicine is not given or at least covered by some kind of National Health insurance. Hey, what price DO you put on a human life ?

By: Loren Jones

Loren Jones — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 22:01:02 +0000

Dear Ron:
As an HIV+ woman who has lived with HIV in the San Francisco bay area for over 26 years I am painfully aware of the fact that organizations such as WORLD were conceived to address the fact that oftentimes in crossover service provision the voices, style and needs of women are either drowned out or ignored. Providing access to service for women entails much more than just opening the doors and ‘saying we serve women too.’ We need to feel safe to express our selves without the fear of belittlement, judgement and retribution. We truly are not just men with breasts that can be blended in. This will just leave us marginalized once again. I wish us the best in power autonomy and strength.
Loren Jones/Oakland, Ca.

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 12:02:55 +0000

I think that agencies working across agency lines is a great concept. I do think that there should be a guideline for HIV positive diagnosis to the about of test that a funded agency does in a time period. I would also like to see the boundaries that are sit that limit where a funded agency in a state can do HIV testing and prevention work. If an agency has a good track record for HIV testing and prevention, I will there should be no boundaries sit.. they can and probably will sit an example for other agencies that are finding new positives as well as provide HIV prevention to areas that are not being reached…

By: Chris Collins

Chris Collins — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 09:06:58 +0000

This is just the kind of model we need — and it needs to be adequately funded to achieve scale and impact, and take advantage of prevention/treatment synergies. In these high incidence settings it will be essential to do more to reach those who’ve not yet benefited from prevention and treatment services. It also needs to be evaluated so as to establish what works.

By: Cyriacus Ajaelu

Cyriacus Ajaelu — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 20:51:36 +0000

This approach seems innovative, but I thought we have to think more of program integration rather than coordinated planning for HIV prevention, care and treatment. For example, people living with AIDS still have problem accessing mental health services. Empirical data show that mental health services are not available for about 60% of people with AIDS who seriously needed the service.