[Worldwide care of people with HIV-infection or AIDS; report of an international conference held in Amsterdam].
Millions of people all over the world are HIV-infected; 90% of them are living in developing countries. Other heavily affected groups are homosexual males, drug addicts, workers in the sex industry and other fringe groups. Taking suitable care of these patients and their families is a major task. This was the subject of the third international conference on home and community care in HIV infection/aids, held in Amsterdam in May 1997. There is a world of difference between the rich West and developing countries in regard to number of patients and availability and accessibility of care. Moreover, in developing countries the inferior socioeconomic position of women and children substantially impairs effective care programmes. Drugs against HIV and against opportunistic infections, and means of palliative care are not available and not affordable in these countries. Local initiatives to improve this situation can only succeed given an infrastructure for the care that is supported by the authorities, so that continuity is guaranteed. Structural cooperation between these authorities and international bodies, and large-scale support by Western foreign aid services are indispensable.
Wigersma
L
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Academisch Medisch Centrum, Instituut voor Huisartsgeneeskunde, Amsterdam.
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000628:therapy; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D014943:Global Health; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014944:World Health Organization
Wereldwijde zorg voor mensen met HIV-infectie of AIDS; verslag van een internationale conferentie in Amsterdam.