Publications

Pakistan committed to respond to its national HIV epidemic by endorsing the Declaration of Commitment (DoC) of the United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on HIV/AIDS of 2001 and to achieve the 6th Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of ‘halting and beginning to reverse the HIV/AIDS epidemic by 2015’. In 2002, the UNAIDS Secretariat and Co-sponsors developed a series of core indicators for all countries to provide consolidated progress made on specific areas of the DoC and bring uniformity to reports encompassing diverse epidemics across the globe. Pakistan has already submitted five progress reports in 2003, 2005, 2008, 2010 and 2012 as per the UNGASS and Global AIDS Response Progress Report requirements. This 2014 report represents the sixth such progress report.

The preparation of the 2013 Global AIDS Progress Report (GAPR) for Palau was facilitated and compiled by the Ministry of Health (MoH), in consultation with relevant government agencies and one non-government organization (NGO) partner involved in the response to HIV/AIDS and STIs in Palau, and with technical assistance from a UNAIDS consultant assigned to this task.

The Global AIDS Response Progress Report (GARPR), previously referred to as the UNGASS, is due to be submitted 31st March each year. Up until 2012 these reports were every 2 years; from 2013 they are required every year. 2014 is a “full” reporting year, i.e. including the core indicators, as well as the full National Commitments and Policy Instrument (NCPI) and a narrative country progress report.

This is the 3rd time Samoa submitted its Global AIDS Response Progress Report since its first submission in 2011. The Global AIDS Response Progress Report is a highly regarded report with in depth analysis of core indicators that provides insight into our national efforts to alleviating HIV/AIDS through collective Prevention initiatives/programs to Treatment and Care, Enabling Environments and Program Management.

The process and submission of Global AIDS Response Progress Report (GARPR) 2014 was led by the National HIV/AIDs and STI Prevention and Control programme (NACP), under the Department of Public Health, Ministry of Health with technical support from UNAIDS country office in Kathmandu, Nepal. The report presented is based on the consolidated findings of both the GARPR and the NCPI data, which were discussed and validated by all key stakeholders working toward the common goal of mitigating the impact of HIV/AIDS in the country.

This paper discusses key findings from an independent Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)-funded joint Strategic Assessment of HIV in ten Asian countries. It argues that despite high level intentions to intensify regional HIV responses, and growing evidence for what needs to be done, many Asian countries are struggling to refocus their resources and programmes to where it matters most, largely because of a legacy of outdated and inappropriate policy, programming and resourcing.

HCV has been described as a “dual epidemic” with HIV because it is highly prevalent in HIV-endemic areas and it disproportionately affects vulnerable populations that also have a high risk of developing HIV infection—especially in Asia and Eastern Europe. HIV/HCV co-infection has emerged as an urgent public health issue that is jeopardizing the progress made in addressing the HIV epidemic.

Transgender people in Asia and the Pacific face many challenges in claiming their rights in general, and specifically their right to health care. Through capacity building the transgender community can be empowered to promote transgender-positive attitudes and advocate for competent, comprehensive and accessible health services. In order to identify priority actions for the health and rights of transgender people in Asia and the Pacific, the Agenda in Transition regional community consultation was held in Bangkok, Thailand, on 19-20 February 2014. This event brought together diverse members of the transgender community; UN agencies, civil society organizations, donors and other partners to review the current situation for the region’s transgender people and determine those needs, which require accelerated action.

The framework for sustainable development in the 21th century must maximize healthy wellbeing at all ages through universal coverage and pro-health policies in all sectors. Adopting a life course approach that will benefit all persons, we recommend the health goal Achieve Health and Wellbeing at All Ages. To accomplish this objective we propose that all countries achieve universal health coverage at every stage of life, with particular emphasis on primary health services, including mental and reproductive health, to ensure that all people receive quality health services without suffering financial hardship. Countries implement policies to create enabling social and environmental conditions that promote the health of populations and help individuals make healthy and sustainable decisions related to their daily living.

Violence against women is a human rights issue with significant social and public health implications. Effective prevention of violence against women (VAW) and quality services for survivors depend on a clear understanding of the prevalence of violence and its dynamics.