HIV treatment and care systems: the way forward

AIDS. 2012 Dec:26 Suppl 2:S147-52. doi: 10.1097/QAD.0b013e32835bde37.

Abstract

This article summarizes the conclusions and recommendations from the articles in this supplement. It presents a call for greater clarity of thinking related to projections of future need for HIV treatment and care. The demands placed on HIV treatment and care services will increase for the foreseeable future while the resources available for this are likely to remain constant or to decline. This highlights the need for realistic budgeting by national governments. The key strategies that should be employed to sustain HIV treatment and care programmes in high HIV-prevalence low and middle-income countries over the coming decade include further decentralization, task shifting, and integration of HIV services with other chronic disease treatment services. At the same time, greater attention will need to be given to the provision of mental healthcare for those living with HIV; to the specific treatment needs of children, adolescents, pregnant women and older people; and to the standard collection of validated indicators of treatment outcomes within national programmes. For the considerable gains that have been achieved to be sustained, funders--both internal and external to the country concerned--need to prioritize investment in operations research to maximise the efficiency of their other investments in HIV treatment and care services.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anti-HIV Agents / economics
  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / methods
  • Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / organization & administration
  • Developing Countries
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • HIV Infections / economics
  • Health Policy
  • Health Services Accessibility / economics*
  • Health Services Accessibility / organization & administration
  • Health Services Needs and Demand / economics*
  • Health Services Needs and Demand / organization & administration
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pregnancy

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents