Crisis of Shortages of Contraceptives and Condoms for HIV/AIDS Prevention is Real
May 7, 2001- A real international crisis exists due to the growing shortages of contraceptives, condoms for HIV/AIDS prevention, and other essential reproductive health supplies
- The shortages exist particularly in parts of the developing world in places where people are the most vulnerable and susceptible to life threatening diseases, STIs, and STD’s; and where rates of maternal mortality, childbirth and population density are highest.
- Action must be taken immediately if a true disaster is to be averted
These are some of the leading conclusions drawn at meeting the Reproductive Health Challenge: Securing Contraceptives and Condoms for HIV/AIDS Prevention. This unique global meeting where leaders of United Nations agencies, representatives of non governmental agencies (NGO's, funders and donors- both from the private and public sector met as partners on equal footing to address this critical issue.
The document released by the meeting convenors is a clear recognition of the challenge in securing and distributing appropriate levels of reproductive health supplies, in the right place, at the right time, at the right cost.’ It included a clarion all for action at both the national and global level.
At the national level it calls for
- Governments to develop national strategies for achieving security in reproductive health supplies no later than 2003;
- All partners to promote the integration of reproductive health services including family planning, maternal health care and STI/HIV prevention and care.
At the global level it requires that
- All donors must ensure that reproductive health supplies are a core component both in existing commitments and in any new commitments of financial resources
UNFPA's leadership role in helping to make the implementation of Global Call to Action was endorsed, and support for UNAIDS was reinforced in the statement. Meeting’s participants, in refining the action plan, focused on four areas: advocacy, national capacity building, financing, and donor co-ordination. International working groups comprised of participants at the meeting have been formed around these four critical areas.The meeting concluded with an urgent message: Now is the time to act to safeguard the future and that of young people everywhere!
