SRH and HIV/AIDS Linkages at Policies, Programmes and Service ...

e accomplished if there is supportand commitment by the governmentat the policy level, development ofappropriate institutional mechanisms,coordination and collaboration, ratherthan simply expanding and linkingthe vertical. Linked response shouldbe institutionalised in all policiesrelated to RH, HIV/AIDS and interministerialcoordination is requiredamong different ministries includinghealth, education and home affairs.Prevention should be a key elementin the national response to HIV.One of the four key priorities of theUNICEF and UNAIDS global Unitefor Children, Unite against AIDScampaign is - ‘preventing infectionamong adolescents and young people’ -is especially pertinent in Bangladesh.The cornerstone of HIV prevention issafer sex. Young people need practicalhelp in the form of appropriate lifeskills and youth-friendly health serviceswhere they can seek advice, have theirqueries answered and obtain condomsand treatment for STIs. Young peopleneed and have the right to accesscomprehensive information aboutSTIs, HIV and AIDS prevention andpositive living, and to make informeddecisions about sex and sexuality.At the policy level, linkage betweensexual and reproductive health servicesand HIV programmes are graduallybecoming a necessity in addressingHIV. However, integration in terms ofservices is posing a big challenge.There is an urgent need to promotesynergistic approaches between SRHand HIV. SRH and HIV/AIDSresponse is separately administered,funded, and supported by differentdonors and technical agencies, andstill mainly managed and implementedseparately. This reduces opportunitiesfor developing comprehensive linkingapproaches at programme and servicedelivery levels.Given the limited resources in thecountry, planning, integration ofexisting settings and interventions witha common approach can meet broaderhealth and social needs of people,instead of providing services separately.Mainstreaming of HIV will help inremoving stigma and discriminationagainst people living with HIV/AIDS(PLHIV), utilising service deliveryand ensuring human and reproductiverights. This could also ensure an endto discriminatory behaviour againstPLHIV.The lack of linkage means low coverage ofservices, poor access to information andcommodity, higher rate of unsafe sexualand risk taking behaviours, frequentsexually transmitted infections andpoor uptake of voluntary counsellingand screening centres. It was pointedout that existing social stigma aboutHIV, lack of male partner participation,and lack of information pose majorchallenges in addressing HIV relatedissues. Lack of information ormisinformation increases vulnerability.UN and donor agencies could play animportant role by providing funds andputting pressure on GO and NGOs tolink SRH and HIV programmes. Achange in donor interest and fundingmechanisms could make the linkage ofservices possible.27