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HAART Support Services in USA & Internationally
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Sunday 1:30pm Toronto
I just came from a session here called "Community Support: The Key to Successful HIV/AIDS care and treatment in resource limited settings". A panel of individuals working in programs in various parts of Africa provided data saying that community and family support reduce feelings of stigma and discrimination, and improve quality of life for HIV+ individuals. Interestingly, HIV+ individuals also had increases in CD4 counts. The suggestion was that patients in these communities who receive these and a bunch of services see these improvements. Thousands of HIV+ individuals were enrolled in these community programs that interestingly provides very similar services that community-based organizations in the USA provide. Of particular interest the data reported is that it appeared a good percentage of patients were receiving HAART and a significant percent achieved undetectable HIV-RNA. Frankly, the presentation were impressive that their programs were successful in providing good HIV services. The programs the panelists worked for are part of the Bristol-Myers Squibb "Secure The Future" program. Many audience participants and the panelists as well thanked BMS for the program. I remember when BMS launched "Secure The Future" about 5 years ago at a press conference they held which I attended in Washington DC. Millions of dollars have been invested in this program and congratulations are in order for a very successful program helping
At the conference there is a large section called the "Global Village" where there are booths representing HIV organizations from many developing countries. It is interesting because they appear to be organized by region, so the Asian country booths are together creating a theme. And the Eastern European county booths are together.
This afternoon I will attend the Pfizer CCR5 and the Roche symposiums.
On a sour note I just walked through the registration area and the lines are longer than ever. It appears that 400 people are waiting on a slowly moving line to register. The conference organizers knew 24,000 people were attended and one would think that they would have been better prepared. I have never seen anything like this at a conference; people with HIV should not have to wait standing on these lines for hours.
Jules Levin
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