• Community

Role of the community

This paper, from the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, calls for an expanded definition of health systems that includes, values and resources work carried out by communities in the frontline in responding to HIV and AIDS. The paper describes three examples of human resource development in community-driven HIV and AIDS programmes in Zambia, Burkina Faso and Ukraine. These case studies demonstrate the important role of community organisations in the provision of antiretroviral (ARV) therapy. They also show how people living with HIV act as educators, advocates, clinical mentors and experts, and how these roles require technical skills.

The paper argues that acknowledgement, inclusion of and support for community based health initiatives is vital as public health systems will struggle to duplicate the same levels of energy, drive and local accountability in community programmes. The authors call for attention to resourcing health care in community based organisations. They also stress the need to build technical skill in community settings and to value and extend partnerships between community organisations and public health systems. The authors conclude that communities are critically important in understandings of health systems and must be incorporated into global plans to expand access to ARV therapy in resource-limited settings. [adapted form author]

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