Peru: PLWHA draft Declaration of Santa Eulalia

During the 2^nd Macro Region Meeting of PLWHA, from June 21 to 24, 2007, 50 PLWHA from all over Peru demand that Peru’s CCM (CONAMUSA) and the Principal Recipient (CARE Peru) provide greater leadership and be more committed to meeting Global Fund projects’ established goals.

We, men and women living with HIV, members of PLWHA organizations and networks in Lima, Callao, Ica, Chimbote, Piura, Tumbes, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Iquitos, Pucallpa, and Arequipa, and PLWHA representatives on the COREMUSAS (Regional Multi Sector Health Coordination Mechanisms) from Lima, Callao, Ica, Chimbote, Iquitos , Piura, and Pucallpa, in the framework of the 2^nd Macro Region Meeting of PLWHA “Network Building to Strengthen Citizen Oversight, Political Lobbying, and Decentralized Participation in COREMUSAS”, held from June 21 to 24, 2007 in Santa Eulalia and organized by the consortium, Abriendo Caminos (2^nd Round Global Fund project objective 5) declare that:

1)   We are concerned for the delay in meeting 2^nd Round Objective 3 goals regarding prevention of vertical transmission, specifically with percentage of pregnant women who are being tested during their prenatal checkups and percentage of HIV+ pregnant women who are receiving antiretroviral treatment to prevent mother to child infection. This is chiefly due to the MoH’s lack of financial commitment and to the abandonment of children living with HIV who need antiretroviral treatment.

2)   We are alarmed by the situation of PLWHA facing constant stockouts of antiretroviral medications in different hospitals and health facilities around the country and the resulting modifications of treatment regimens for non-medical reasons plus the lack of access to HIV-genotyping tests in spite of the fact that the GF Round 2 project included a budget for setting up that system.

3)   We are worried that up till now there has been no recognition of the validation process for PLWHA organizations that have submitted documents to Abriendo Caminos for that purpose; nevertheless, this process has already been set in motion in all COREMUSAS.

4)   We are concerned about Round 5 objective 3 implementation, i.e. PLWHA organization strengthening, and the lack of coordination among networks born out of it.

5)   We are troubled by the fact that the comprehensive care package for HIV+ women with children lacks proper supply of infant formula, access to gynecological services that fit their needs, and cesarean section scheduling.

6)   We are distressed by the delay in procuring medicines to combat opportunistic infections, which form part of Round 5 Project objective 4.

Therefore, we demand that CONAMUSA, the Ministry of Health, and Care Peru, as principal recipient of Global Fund monies, provide greater leadership for and show more commitment to:

1)   Expanding access coverage to diagnostic tests, antiretroviral medicines, and specialized gynecological services for both women and pregnant women living with HIV.

2)   Implementing, with PLWHA and as soon as possible, a contingency plan to end short, mid, and long term stockouts.

3)   Setting up an advisory committee within the management structure of the consortium in charge of implementing Round 5 project objective 3. It should be formed by existing network, platform, and other PLWHA organization representatives. Also, in immediately reactivating consortium’s Board and including on it PLWHA representatives to CONAMUSA.

4)   Assuring GF Round 5 project does not stray from original proposal.

5)   Speeding up procurement and distribution of medicines for opportunistic infection treatment and prophylaxis.

6)   Accelerating centralized procurement process and distribution of pediatric drugs for children living with HIV.

7)   We are requesting, by way of the CONAMUSA Executive Secretariat, that this body support the proposal submitted by the PLWHA Latin American Network and Round 7 Global Fund Coalition of Treatment Activists and take a more decisive stand on strengthening Peruvian PLWHA networks and organizations.

From our organizations, we are committed to monitoring progress or delay in fulfilling these demands and in collaborating on the immediate solution to the problems.

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