Ecuadorian HIV community writes to the Health Minister

PLWHA in Ecuador, during a national general assembly, drafted and sent an open letter to the Health Minister, Dr. Caroline Chang, in which they shed light on problems affecting them and offered the ministry their proactivism to aid in coming up with a joint national HIV and AIDS response.

In the letter, the country’s PLWHA representatives raised the points that people lack information and the country has failed to install an epidemiological surveillance system, both of which could make prevention programs more effective.

They also criticized the improper PLWHA comprehensive health care program in public hospitals, bringing up the fact that health professionals are insensitive to what PLWHA who go to these facilities experience, thereby negatively influencing the care they receive and their treatment adherence.

They furthermore discuss noncompliance with laws dealing with HIV and AIDS prevention and care in terms of constant ARV stockouts. Right now, Ecuadorian state hospitals are wanting Abacavir.

Observatorio Latino intends on signing this letter and requests that the minister and other key stakeholders meet with community representatives to find a solution to these problems. This letter is the second time the HIV community has contacted the minister asking her to meet with them, but, as yet, they have received no answer.

To read the letter, please click here:

http://www.observatoriolatino.org/upload_arch/Carta a Ministra de Salud en Ecuador octubre 2009.pdf.         

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