10 Million HIV-AIDS Deaths Preventable by 2025

As delegates begin to gather for the 18^th International AIDS Conference in Vienna, Austria we are hearing that at least 10 million HIV-AIDS deaths could be averted by 2025.  Michael Sidibe, UNAIDS Executive Director says that in order to do so we must reshape the AIDS response through innovation that would bring down costs so that investments can reach more people.

 

To learn more about the radically simplified HIV treatment platform called Treatment 2.0, take a look at this article by Andre Picard from the Globe and Mail or see this information from UNAIDS.

Published by: GiveADay on July 15th, 2010 | Filed under Give a Day 2010, HIV/AIDS in Africa, Media, Workplace Campaigns
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Hot Talks at Markham Theatre – November 12th – Stephen Lewis and Dr. Jeff Turnbull

On Thursday, November 12th at 7:30 pm Give a Day is very pleased to present Hot Talks at Markham Theatre.  We will be welcoming Stephen Lewis, chair of the Stephen Lewis Foundation and former Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, and Dr. Jeff Turnbull, Chief of Staff at the Ottawa Hospital and Medical Director of the Ottawa Inner City Health Project who will be discussing the topic “Canadian professionals and social activism: an option or an obligation?” The evening will also include beautiful music by Madagascar Slim and Soul Influence.  Tickets are only $20 and are available through the Markam Theatre box office by calling 905-305-SHOW or 1-866-768-8801 or online.

Published by: GiveADay on November 12th, 2009 | Filed under GAD Events, Give a Day 2009, HIV/AIDS in Africa, Media
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News from Malawi – Dr. Lorna Adams

Dr. Lorna Adams, Give a Day supporter writes… I recently spent 3 months working in Malawi and Zimbabwe, in HIV/AIDS Clinics in both countries.  I was able to see, close up and personal, what your support of the Give a Day campaign is able to accomplish on the ground and in action.  I would like to tell you a little about my work in Malawi, with Dignitas International, and some personal stories from the field.  I have seen what a Difference a DAY can make, and it is incredible.

My first day at the Dignitas Tisungane (‘Let’s Work Together’ or ‘Hope’ in Chichewa, the local language) HIV/AIDS Clinic was quite overwhelming.  Dignitas, as a matter of principle, employs many local workers. From the Clinical Officers, who function almost as physicians, to the nurses, the lab technicians, the volunteers, the expert patients, the drivers, the cleaners, the lunch ladies, the IT staff and all the other support staff, I was exhausted just trying to remember the incredible number of names of the people I was introduced to. 

And then, the hundreds and hundreds of patients, waiting in lines for hours for either their first assessment, to find out if they are HIV positive or not, or their counseling session prior to starting antiretroviral therapy. Others were coming for their follow up appointment, to see if they are having any side effects or problems with their medicine, and then, receive their life saving medication for another 2 weeks, or month or longer.  It certainly took me a couple of weeks just to get oriented and find my way around the clinic since it is a very large area in order to service thousands of patients.

Next week, more stories from the Dignitas International HIV/AIDS Clinic in Zomba, Malawi.

Published by: GiveADay on November 6th, 2009 | Filed under Give a Day 2009, HIV/AIDS in Africa, Media, Recipient News
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Dr. Jane Philpott – Why do I still believe in responding to the HIV pandemic?

Dr. Jane Philpott, Give a Day founder writes…I’ve just attended a fascinating conference in South Africa about Family Medicine in the African context. We talked for days about primary health care which is needed “now more than ever”.  We talked about appalling maternal mortality rates; the tragically high under-5s mortality rates in many countries and about the ongoing shortage of health human resources in low-income countries.  There was a clear consensus that many of these problems can be helped by strengthening primary care: making comprehensive and holistic care within reach of everyone.

And so I believe in the struggle to provide health for all through primary care.  But in promoting the Give a Day movement, I believe there is also a time and place for focusing attention and resources on a problem like HIV whose impact on the world is of such devastating proportion that it warrants some exclusive attention.

AIDS has been a wake-up call to humanity.  It has exposed the fault lines of our global society. It turns out that the social issues that drive the AIDS pandemic (gender inequity, poverty, lack of education) are not new, but AIDS has blatantly exposed the ugly injustices of our world.  To address AIDS we must address much of what ails our world.  The response to AIDS involves much more than treating a virus; it involves nutrition, housing, schooling and the expansion of primary care infrastructure.  Finding healing for HIV will be a critical step in the healing of the planet.

If you share the vision of health for all, I hope you will join me on World AIDS Day, by giving one day’s pay to a great community-based organization that will bring hope and healing to those affected by HIV.

Published by: GiveADay on November 2nd, 2009 | Filed under Give a Day 2009, HIV/AIDS in Africa, Jane's Blog, Media, Workplace Campaigns
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Creating a Connection

Dr. Andrew Pinto, Give a Day supporter writes…The “Give A Day” campaign is a lot more than just collecting donations. It’s about linking our work here with the daily work of dedicated clinicians, nurses and volunteers who are facing the AIDS pandemic in low-income countries.

Dr. Jane Philpott’s idea struck a chord: the simple donation of a day’s wages to an organization that directly delivers care to HIV-positive people who need it. When I first heard about this, I was a family medicine resident. I trained at a clinic that served a large number of people living with AIDS in Toronto. Creating a tangible connection between my work and the struggle in sub-Saharan Africa was important to me. I knew that millions of men, women and children there did not have access to the life-saving drugs that were available to our patients here.

This connection was further strengthened when I had the opportunity to volunteer as a physician with Dignitas International, one of the organizations that receives support from the GAD campaign. I am grateful to have had this privilege. The clinicians, nurses, students and patients in Malawi taught me a great deal, not just about clinical care, but the meaning of pragmatic solidarity.

As I settle back into my life in Toronto, my greatest hope is to reflect their commitment and passion in my day-to-day work. Our work and our worlds are indeed linked. This campaign not only helps organizations deliver AIDS related care to patients in low-income countries, but also gives our work here greater meaning.

Andrew Pinto is a family physician and resident in Community Medicine.

The views presented here are his own.

Published by: GiveADay on October 22nd, 2009 | Filed under Give a Day 2009, HIV/AIDS in Africa, Media, Workplace Campaigns
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