Integrating sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and HIV in one-stop-shop services under one roof to achieve equity and combat the infection was a key focus at the recent fifth HIV Research for Prevention (HIVR4P) 2024 Conference.
Family Planning News Network (FPNN) reported live from the event, highlighting that effective SRHR services are essential not only for preventing new HIV infections but also for supporting individuals living with HIV in maintaining healthy lives.
Experts at the conference emphasised that Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) services serve as a vital platform for delivering HIV prevention, care, and treatment interventions. This interconnectedness allows for a comprehensive approach to public health, where HIV services can also facilitate access to a variety of SRHR services, including family planning, cervical cancer screening, and antenatal care.
The discussions underscored the need for integrated health strategies that address both HIV and reproductive health, advocating for policies that enhance service delivery and accessibility. By fostering collaboration between HIV and SRHR sectors, stakeholders would create a more holistic framework that not only reduces new infections but also improves the overall health and well-being of affected populations.
The HIVR4P 2024 Conference was an important forum for exchanging ideas and strategies for improving these essential health services worldwide.
Access As Critical Component
Experts at the conference reasoned that ensuring universal access to SRHR services – like education, financial support, contraception, and cutting-edge research – not only helps prevent new HIV infections but also provides essential support for those already living with HIV. Indeed, access to these services empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.
Unfortunately, access is not always guaranteed. Unarguably, human rights violations, poverty, gender inequality, and harmful cultural or societal practices can exacerbate the impact of HIV and other sexual health challenges. These barriers make it harder for people to obtain the SRHR services they need, leading to greater complications and adverse outcomes in the future.
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Clearly, there is a crucial need to recognise and advocate for the rights of individuals living with HIV, particularly their right to lead healthy and fulfilling sex lives. People living with HIV have the right to healthy, satisfying sex lives. Therefore, the fundamental aspect of their human dignity must be protected by robust legal frameworks and supported by comprehensive services that cater to their sexual and reproductive health needs.
People living with HIV face a wide range of challenges that can hinder their ability to enjoy satisfying intimate relationships. Stigma, discrimination, and a lack of access to appropriate healthcare services often create barriers that prevent them from fully exercising their sexual and reproductive rights. It is crucial to address these complex issues not only for the well-being of those living with HIV but also for their partners and families, who are further impacted by these challenges.
Stakeholders are deeply concerned that Sexual and reproductive health and rights are consistently at the forefront of the struggle for women’s human rights, worldwide. Thankfully, the UN agency for AIDS provided a guideline for rights-based, people-centered public health which every country is expected to adopt.
The HIVR4P 2024 Conference urged countries to integrate sexual and reproductive health and rights and HIV services, noting that this would improve access to services and provide a model for rights-based, people-centred public health practice.
The conference called for collaboration to increase the uptake of integrated services free from all forms of stigma and discrimination.
Indeed, UNAIDs recommended all countries integrate SRHR and HIV services to improve access to care and provide the platform for a rights-based, people-centered public health practice. The integration of these services is expected to yield numerous benefits, including a reduction in maternal mortality rates and decreased transmission of HIV. Additionally, it aims to combat the stigma that often hinders individuals from accessing essential services and products, thereby driving infections.
Nigeria has the largest HIV burden in Sub-Saharan Africa, with over 1.9 million people currently living with HIV according to the National Agency for the Control of AIDS(NACA) 2022 report. Sadly too, UNAIDS reported that AIDS-related deaths in Nigeria have been estimated to be around 49 000 across all age groups in the year 2020 alone. Unfortunately, the country is where stigma, gender, and human rights barriers as well as domestic financing are still hindering progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS, thereby driving the infection.
Specifically, the recent HIVR4P 2024 Conference underscored the critical need to integrate Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) with HIV programmes across three key levels: policy and legal frameworks, health systems, and integrated service delivery. This integration fosters bidirectional synergies which not only enhance HIV responses but also champion the rights of people living with HIV (PLHIV). By fostering stronger alignment, African countries like Nigeria can improve access to essential services, reduce stigma, and ensure comprehensive care for PLHIV.
This integration is also essential for achieving public health goals and advancing human rights and gender equality, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals. The time to advocate for universal access to Sexual and Reproductive Health services for all is now. Nigeria must dismantle the stigma surrounding HIV and foster an environment where all individuals can thrive. This is the time to prioritise the sexual and reproductive rights of people living with HIV and achieve health equity.
