NGO Delegation’s Report

The report of NGO delegation was focused on the barriers to achieving of the Universal Access based on 380 online surveys and 35 Focus Group Discussion of key networks.

Barriers to achieving the Universal Access were identified as:
• 2/3 of the respondents said stigma and discrimination is the key barrier.
• Identifying and reaching the key populations.
• Criminalisation needs extra attention.
• Violence.
• Lack of evidence-based prevention for IDUs.
• Lack of services.

Hepatitis-C co-infection was to be discussed as a part of HIV treatment, while implications of financial crisis, especially regarding concerns on how countries are going to meet the Universal Access’ target in 2010 with the current crisis situation is yet to be further discussed separately.

UNAIDS needs to ensure that PLHIV are not excluded, detained or deported, especially with no access to treatment, even in the country that has no travel restrictions. USA expressed a strong support on the inclusion of non-discriminatory approaches as methodology to meet the Universal Access’ goals and to be the 4th pillar of the Universal Access as proposed by the NGO delegates. The UK addressed that whatever approaches that used as methodology, it is necessary to ensure that it does not go out of the track or go out of the initial prevention and CST program planning. Furthermore, incorporation of human rights elements in the HIV responses is essentials.

There were a lot of supports on stigma and discrimination from the member states, but it needs to be framed correctly i.e. asking when do they start to do it.