Fw: Message-comments

[Anush Sahakyan]

Dear colleagues,

I also would like to add several points to this discussion.

I will talk about of the process of development of May 19 message for regional event. First core team selected topics, and one of them was HIV related testing promotion. This is indeed very crucial problem.

HIV is spread through those people, who don’t know about their HIV status, since, due to the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the disease its latent period lasts on the average 8-10 years. Today, when ART is available and PLHIV have access to it, the prevention projects implemented in the country should put a special emphasis on early HIV testing for optimal care. In Armenia the estimated number of HIV cases in the country is 3500, which means that only 30% of all cases are registered in the country, which is comparable with other countries in our region, but we should do more to diagnose HIV in earlier stages to reach more effectiveness in ART and HIV prevention.

If more migrants get tested yearly, the number of detections among this population will increase and more PLHIV would benefit from the life-saving treatment. Unfortunately, now HIV cases are registered mostly in the AIDS stage through provider-initiated HIV testing and counseling in health facilities, when ART is less effective. Therefore, HIV prevention programmes implemented by NGOs should maximize their efforts to build strong motivation to get HIV tested and link the target population with health care providers for prevention and early care, and Memorial day is good opportunity to disseminate HIV testing promotion messages to population.      

After selection of topic, message was developed. This message was suggested by our Ukrainian colleagues and we liked it and get agreement from our partners and core group members. I agree with your comments that only testing is not a solution, but it is the very first and crucial step to know HIV status early, receive ART treatment on time saving lives and improving well-being.


Best regards.


----- Forwarded by Anush Sahakyan/ARMO/WorldVision on 05/01/2013 10:00 -----

From:        Natalia Cherednichenko <Natalia_Che...@wvi.org>
To:        Hannes Reuter <Hannes...@wvi.org>,
Cc:        george soselia <george...@yahoo.com>, "HIVAI...@googlegroups.com" <HIVAI...@googlegroups.com>
Date:        04/30/2013 20:27
Subject:        Re: Message-comments
Sent by:        HIVAI...@googlegroups.com

---

Good evening, Hannes et al,

I also think that the points mentioned by George are valuable and fair. And
while thinking about this message I was also thinking about that.. Though,
from other side, message for the event ussually is quite concise, focused
on one issue and, thus, highlighting only one aspect - it is indeed very
difficult to cover many aspects and get finally comprehensive message. And
we should understand that such messages intend to attract attention to some
specific issues that's why they use quite strong comparisons - go for
testing and continue to live (sorry, do not remember exact wording) - but,
of course, we all know that only VCT is not helpful.

But I agree that at Candlelight Memorial Day we should be especially
cautious about messages related to living- that's why I checked this
message with Alexey whom I trust a lot in this regard - his opinion was
that message is not ideal but nothing so concerning was noticed by him.

I suggest that next time we extend the group for discussion related the
messages - it will allow us to hear diverse opinions and take more issues
into consideration.

Warmest regards,

Natalia

                                                                                                     
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   Re: Message-comments                                                    
                                                                           
                                                                           
   Hannes Reuter                                                            
                  to:                                                      
                    george soselia                                          
                                                                      30.04
                                                                      .2013
                                                                      19:19
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                                           
   Sent by:                                                                
         HIVAI...@googlegroups.com                                      
   Cc:                                                                      
         "HIVAI...@googlegroups.com"                                    
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                                           


                                                                                   
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
 From:   Hannes Reuter <Hannes...@wvi.org>                                      
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
 To:     george soselia <george...@yahoo.com>                                  
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
 Cc:     "HIVAI...@googlegroups.com" <HIVAI...@googlegroups.com>              
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
 Sent    HIVAI...@googlegroups.com                                              
 by:                                                                                
                                                                                   







Hi all,

That sounds like a good point and should be discussed further before going
to the print house, spreading the message, etc.
What's the opinion of others?

Hannes

_________________________________

Hannes Reuter
Country Programme Coordinator
Middle East & Eastern Europe  |  Myanmar
World Vision Germany

Am Zollstock 2-4
61381 Friedrichsdorf
Germany

Office: +49-6172-763238
Mob: +49-179-2371923
Email: hannes...@wvi.org
Skype: hannes_reuter

www.worldvision.de



            george soselia
            <georgesoselia@ya
            hoo.com>                                                   To
            Sent by:                  "HIVAI...@googlegroups.com"
            HIVAIDS-SCR@googl         <HIVAI...@googlegroups.com>,
            egroups.com                                                cc

                                                                  Subject
            30 Apr 2013 03:07         Message-comments


            Please respond to
             george soselia
            <georgesoselia@ya
                hoo.com>






Dear colleagues,

Hope you all are doing well.

I would like to comment on conceptual part of the message for campaign
dedicated to 19th of May.

There are several issues I would like to comment on -

First of all I think that existing message can cause wrong attitudes and
understanding on the idea of testing and HIV in general for external
observant.

We must be particularly careful especially while talking about life.

Only get tested on HIV, does not mean that one's life is safe. if it was
said getting tested and get lifelong treatment that would have been
correct. What we all know and understand is not clear for the general
population.Thus the message itself might be misleading.

As you know HIV already is a chronic disease and not the deadly one.
Accordingly relating HIV to death is discriminatory from our side. It can
cause stigmatization and development of wrong attitudes towards topic of
HIV as well as towards people living with HIV, especially when we are using
this message for International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Day, especially
when awareness of general society in our countries is not high and
attitudes are not quite tolerant.

This is my personal opinion and I hope it will be somehow useful for you.

With best wishes

Giorgi Soselia
Focal Point of ECUO in Georgia
Real People, Real Vision
Adress: Kazbegi 10, Apt. 4, Tbilisi, Georgia
Tel: +995 599 93 42 00; +995 555 549 110;

[attachment "pic03038.gif" deleted by Anush Sahakyan/ARMO/WorldVision]