HIV/AIDS Communiqué - Volume 2 Number 3 - Fall 2003

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Science

Communique Update: The Canadian HIV Vaccine Plan

On June 26 and 27, 2003, Health Canada convened a round table on a Canadian plan for the development and equitable distribution of HIV vaccines. An expert panel provided multidisciplinary input. The meeting included representation from Health Canada, other Government of Canada departments, HIV/AIDs community organisations, and the scientific research community. The two-day meeting produced consensus around four components of a Canadian HIV vaccine plan:

• ensuring a Canadian commitment to the development of an HIV vaccine;
  
• ensuring public engagement;
  
• ensuring strategic integrated plans for HIV vaccine development; and
  
• ensuring equitable HIV vaccine access and delivery.

The round table of experts also suggested discrete sets of more detailed programs and activities under each component, and provided input for resource requirement models.

Work in Progress

National Aboriginal Council on HIV/AIDS

NACHA (National Aboriginal Council on HIV/AIDS) held a full Council meeting on May 8-10, 2003, in Halifax, at which Council members identified key areas of work for the upcoming months. One of Council's priorities will be to organize an Aboriginal Summit.

NACHA's work will also include the completion of an Annual Report and the implementation of an evaluation process. NACHA members will continue to provide input into the Aboriginal Community-Based Research relocation process, the 5-Year Review of the CSHA, the CSHA Strategic Plan and the development of the National HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign. The next NACHA face to face meeting is scheduled for the Fall 2003 in conjunction with the Summit.

For more information on NACHA, or contact Lilja Jónsdóttir, Program Consultant, at Lilja_Jónsdóttir@hc-sc.gc.ca .

National HIV/AIDS Awareness

Work is continuing on the development of a National HIV/AIDS Awareness Strategy. The National Steering Committee met in Montreal in July, 2003, to review a synopsis of the Canadian HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign from 2000-2002 prepared by Francois Lagarde, a social marketing consultant. A version of this report will be made available to the community in the fall, as the documented best practices and lessons learned provide valuable direction for the development of social marketing campaigns all levels.

The National HIV/AIDS Community-based Social Marketing campaign RFP was released in May and the proposals submitted were reviewed by an external Review Committee in July. The Review Committee recommended proposals for funding, which are currently under consideration by Health Canada.

For more information on the development of the National HIV/AIDS Awareness Strategy, please contact Patti Murphy, Program Consultant, at patti_murphy@hc-sac.gc.ca .

Partnership Agreement between Health Canada and UNAIDS

Health Canada had the privilege of hosting a visit by Dr. Kathleen Cravero, Deputy Executive Director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). Dr. Cravero serves as the UNAIDS focal point for Canada.

The purpose of her visit was to learn more about Health Canada's contribution to the fight against HIV/AIDS, both domestically and internationally, and to discuss current and emerging issues. Her visit involved several roundtables and meetings with representatives from Health Canada, CIDA, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT), and civil society organizations, as well as signing the renewed Partnership Agreement between Health Canada and UNAIDS. Dr. Cravero and Deputy Minister Ian C. Green signed the agreement on June 17th, 2003. To view a copy of the agreement please visit: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/datapcb/iad/wnew-e.htm .

The new agreement includes all branches involved in the Canadian Strategy on HIV/AIDS and reflects the new realities of HIV/AIDS globally as well as the future needs of both organizations. Possible areas for collaboration include: promoting gender equality in addressing the impact of HIV; providing technical assistance and policy guidance in the area of harm reduction; applying and refining UNGASS indicators; monitoring resistance and integrating treatment into the continuum of care.

For more information, contact Marita Killen, Program Officer, International Affairs Directorate, at Marita_Killen@hc-sc.gc.ca .

Partnership Agreement between Health Canada and UNAIDS

(L-R) Ross Noble, Manager, Donor & Corporate Relations, UNAIDS; Dr. Kathleen Cravero, Deputy Executive Director, UNAIDS; Ian C. Green, Deputy Minister, Health Canada; Martin Méthot, Director, International Health Division, Health Canada.

HIV Rehabilitation not a One-time Intervention!

A combined workshop on HIV /Rehabilitation took place in March 5, 2003. Sponsors were Health Canada (HC), Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) and the Canadian Working Group on HIV and Rehabilitation (CWGHR).

The workshop was attended by approximately 50 - 60 people with some representatives from service agencies and people living with HIV. The majority of participants however came from the two federal departments: HC and HRDC. The workshop was designed not only to provide information on the work of CWGHR, but also, in particular, as an opportunity for staff of both departments to learn how their services could best meet the needs of individuals living with HIV- related disabilities. It was also an opportunity for CWGHR, the service agencies and PHA's to learn about the department's policies and programs.

Discussions centered around the unpredictability and the episodic nature of HIV. The issues raised were important ones for people who may be receiving benefits, and therefore were also important ones for HRDC. Of particular interest to the Office of Disability Issues (ODI) of HRDC is the research done by CWGHR on cyclical or episodic disability. This issue is an emerging concern because it reminds us that people with disabilities are often managing their realities with unpredictable periods of illness or wellness.

All of the participants brought their experiences to the table and were eager to learn from each other. Speakers from the community were passionate about the importance of supporting individuals to make choices and of the need to have flexible policies and practices. This workshop was an opportunity to learn about what works and where we can improve in meeting the needs of individuals with HIV-related disabilities. The key was to look at "rehabilitation" not as a one-time intervention but as an ongoing approach to allow people to participate fully in their community. It was an opportunity to look at how services for individuals can best meet their needs when the needs can vary from individual to individual. It was also an opportunity to share and learn.

Two major challenges emerged at this workshop were:

1. Challenges to delivering rehabilitation services and programs and;
   
2. Challenges to accessing rehabilitation services and programs.

Two major suggestions for health care providers were:

1. Ways to better address the episodic nature of HIV and;
   
2. Ways to address the lack of coordination in HIV and rehabilitation.

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