There is no cure for more than 40 million people living with HIV/AIDS around the world today.  Treatment can prolong the life of someone with HIV; however  affordability & accessibility  is a challenge. There are a number of initiatives that aim to reduce this challenge.

We need more support and involvement of those affected and infected, families and the communities... 

Living Positively

‘Living Positively’ aims to encourage people to eat healthy, balanced diets, exercise, avoid stress, give up harmful substances such as alcohol, cigarettes and other drugs

Living and working in a supportive, non-judgmental and caring environment enables a person to function ‘normally’, gives them a sense of belonging, love and purpose which supports them in dealing with their situation.

Voluntary Counseling and Testing

VCT is confidential, non-judgmental and widely available free of charge in many places in Ethiopia. VCT plays a key part in prevention and care. It is particularly important as a starting point for the access to other HIV and AIDS-related services. It is widely recognized that knowledge of their HIV infection can help a person to stay healthy for longer as well as preventing new infections.

For people who have tested HIV-positive, counseling is an ongoing source of support and information for themselves and their families. VCT also provides benefit for those who test negative by provide them with relevant information and encourages them to stay healthy and to change their behavior if necessary.

Spiritual support

Spiritual leaders play a crucial role in prevention, awareness, care and support. Today more and more spiritual leaders in Ethiopia are attending HIV and AIDS workshops and taking a lead in their communities to support those infected and to reduce stigma and discrimination. They also give comfort and care to both those who are ill and their families.

Home-based care and traditional medicines

Home based care allows the sick person to be in their own environment with their families, which could be less stressful and more comforting. Family and community members are trained to take care of administer basic needs, treatment and medicines.

Traditional medicines and alternative therapies can have an important role to play in opportunistic infections. Like ‘Western’ medicine they do not cure HIV or AIDS, but in many cases they provide simple and cheap remedies for some HIV-related infections – such as diarrhea, thrush and skin infections.

Treatment

When the immune system begins to fail HIV-positive people begin to contact opportunistic infections such as TB, pneumonia, diarrhea and thrush among many other illnesses.  Most of these can be treated or in some cases prevented by regular medication; however they are frequently unavailable and unaffordable for most people. 

Treatment with antiretroviral drugs can slow the progression of HIV.  Antiretroviral therapy has been available since 1996, but is only available to fewer than 4% of people with HIV and AIDS in low and middle- income countries (UNAIDS 2002).