There is reliable evidence that access to treatment, care and support (ACTS) works. However, ACTS is often interpreted as meaning access to ARVs only. But ACTS is more than having access to ARVs. ACTS can only be a part of a holistic response to HIV and AIDS. HIV funding is often abundant at country level nowadays and targeted to PLHIV, but not under the control, supervision or accountability of PLHIV. Increased international funding is often leading to reduced government responsibilities.

Even within the community of activists working on treatment access, there is a tacit understanding that different standards of medical and social standards of care and support are acceptable in different countries and regions (vulnerable groups, women, children and ethnic groups).

PLHIV need to know about and become experts on quality of standard, trade issues, patent laws, HIV research, procurement standards, treatment side effects, pediatric diagnosis, and ACTS. Greater involvement of PLHIV in matters of their health care is called for. One of the major challenges is that there is no consensus on what standards of care there should be. Should there be one internationally agreed on, universal standard or can we have different ones for different regions or countries? Can the PLHIV community accept differing degrees of standard of care?

 Working Group Statement on Access to Treatment, Care and Support (English) 162.12 Kb

 Working Group Statement on Access to Treatment, Care and Support (Francais) 168.06 Kb

 Working Group Statement on Access to Treatment, Care and Support (Espanol) 164.00 Kb