Reality Check- HIV&AIDS Interventions in Asia, APACHA's latest critical update on Asia was launched in the press conference. Report was launched by the Thematic Head of Actionaid International Dr. Leonard Okello. Addressing the press conference Dr. Okello said, "This report is an attempt to begin a critical and alternative debate and discourse around HIV&AIDS in Asia". Prabodh Devkota, Asia Coordinator of APACHA highlighted the importance of the report. He said," The debilitating human rights condition, increasing democratic deficit, unabated conflicts and increasing religious fundamentalism in most of the countries in Asia, pose great challenges to address the causes and consequences of HIV & AIDS. And the increasing inequalities in the region, mass exodus and exacerbating violence, particularly against women, are making the fight against the epidemic more complex." A number of journalists from different parts of the world were present in the press conference. A press release was also distributed during the conference. Next day there were a number of international media coverage on the report including the conference newspaper covering about it.

During the conference, Reality Check: HIV&AIDS Interventions in Asia - report was one of the major attractions.

Joint Satellite Sessions (APACHA and Actionaid International)

20- August-2007- Time-13:30-14:30 Hours
AIDS Orphan is one of the harsh realities in Africa region. However, with the shift of the epicenter of AIDS pandemic from South Africa to India and rapid increase of infection in many Asia and the Pacific countries, number of AIDS orphan is also increasing at an alarming rate. "The increased spiral of adult deaths in so many countries means that the number of children orphaned each day is expanding exponentially. Africa is staggering under the load". - Stephen Lewis, UN Special Envoy for AIDS in Africa7 - The social isolation experienced by AIDS orphans, both before and after the death of their parent(s), face the fear, stigma and rejection that often surrounds people affected by HIV and AIDS. Because of this stigma, children may be denied access to schooling and health care. The problems faced by AIDS orphans have emotional impact, household impact, educational impact and stigmatization. The way forward should be on support for careers, keeping children in school, empowerment for children, protection for the legal & human rights of orphans and meeting emotional needs.




Speakers from Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Australia and Pakistan highlighted the issues around orphans and HIV&AIDS. Dr. Poornima from India shared a research outcome on the vulnerability of children and how orphans are forced to lead a pathetic life in India. Guest Speakers from Nepal and Bangladesh NatiSara Rai and Mukti respectively focused on the need of emergency support for the PLHA women and children. They asked their respective governments, donor agencies and civil society to take immediate actions to improve the situation of orphans. Speakers also presented case studies from Nepal, Bangladesh and India.




More than 100 participants were present in the session and some of them shared their country specific examples. Participants also discussed about some policy issues. Participants from Africa warned the governments in Asia to realize the gravity of the issue on time and take effective and timely actions to address such critical and ethical issues in face of the epidemic. Similarly other participants from Indonesia, Pakistan, Cambodia and Sri Lanka also presented the situation of orphan in their countries




Emerging ethical challenges of Drug Trials

As part of globalization of markets, many developing countries are opening their "markets" for vaccines and drug trials as well. Treatment of naive populations often provide fertile opportunities for clinical trials. However, many developing countries are also struggling to cope with the institutional needs of conducting such trials in globally acceptable ethical and professional standards. Lack of legal and institutional mechanisms for protecting the best interest of the trial participants considers being a growing concern in many of the resource poor countries. Health activists and people's representatives have to develop skills and knowledge in analyzing the ethical implications of such trials. This symposium tried to explore current issues and challenges of drugs trials from a trial participants and their communities' perspective.




Pry Phally Phuong from Cambodia, Joe Thomas from Australia, Monruedee and her team from Thailand were the speakers, Dr. Halida Hanum from Bangladesh moderated the session and Leonard Okello, thematic head of Actionaid International Chaired the session. Phung shared Case studies from Cambodian sex workers effort to establish community based ethical review committees. Similarly Joe Thomas highlighted on the market economy and emerging ethical challenges of Drug Trials from a global perspective. Thai team presented their research findings in the context of Thailand




More than 200 participants from Nepal, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Australia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, Japan, China, and India were present in the session and a number of questions were asked to the Cambodian and Thai speakers about the incidences of drug trials and the role of civil society.




The session ended with a demand of ethical guidelines and their honest implementation in any drug trials. They also expressed their concerns on the accessibility of timely information to the public so that civil society groups can also take actions for the rights of people. They stressed that it is extremely important for the governments or the research institutions to provide complete information to the communities so that they can take informed decision.


APACHA Stall


APACHA had a separate stall. It was aimed to create a space for all APACHA members to meet and discuss. Stall was open to all its members to display their banners, IEC materials, posters and pamphlets. On top of it, stall was developed as an information center for the participants of ICAAP who wanted to know about APACHA and be a part of it.




Stall was filled with colorful reports, photos, and charter of demands from all APACHA partners and allies. Reality Check: HIV&AIDS intervention report was one of the major attractions of the stall and more than 1000 copies of the reality check report and more than 3000 copies of the executive summary of the report were distributed. More than 400 people left their email address to get the electronic copies of the report.




According to the volunteers more than 4000 people visited the stall and among them more than 2000 were interested to know more about APACHA and they expressed their interest to be a part of it.




All APACHA members from Pakistan, Cambodia, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Nepal along with our four youth volunteers from Sri Lanka coordinated the entire events.




APACHA Team Meeting
Towards the end of the conference, APACHA members organized an informal meeting to reflect on our presence in the ICAAP. It was a feedback meeting as well. Participants were extremely happy with the increased visibility of APACHA.




Members have come up with few suggestions to improve our visibility in such international conferences in the days to come.