To mark Universal Health Coverage (UHC) day, the global networks of people living with HIV, GNP+, ICW and Y+ Global, have issued a joint report “Demanding health for all: drawing on experiences of people living with HIV”.
We have seen the devastating impact COVID-19 has had on our communities and been frustrated by the inadequate responses of our governments. And COVID-19, like the HIV epidemic before, has affected the marginalised communities most – from increased violence and human rights violations to loss of livelihoods and financial hardship. People living with HIV have struggled to access essential health care they need.
It doesn’t have to be like this. The HIV movement has decades of experience dealing with a global health epidemic. We have learnt many lessons over those years, developed skills and expertise that make us perfectly placed to, guide, advise and drive forward the response to COVID-19. In fact, in country after country, networks of people living with HIV have found innovative solutions and helped deliver health services to their communities through these challenging times.
This report looks at the three key pillars of UHC through the lens of our times. We draw on experiences of people living with HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic and offer learnings to
- Ensure equitable access
- Provide quality health services
- Minimise financial hardship
Our experiences to date of COVID-19 strengthen our resolve to find ways to achieve health for all, including marginalised people and people living with HIV.
This report is one of the outcomes of Beyond LIVING, a consultation and advocacy process led by GNP+, ICW and Y+ Global. We are guided by a diverse and creative Life Force – 11 people from across regions with different lived experiences, helping us to connect our global advocacy to the realities of countries and communities.
Also check out GNP+’s toolkit for activists – 10 things you can do to get involved and make a difference this UHC Day 2020.
