5th Annual National Pediatric Conference on Children infected
And affected by HIV and AIDS 2009
Session 4: Symposium on Universal Access to HIV Prevention and Care and Treatment Services in Health Sector

1. Context and justifications
At the June 2006 General Assembly High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS, United Nations Member States agreed to work towards the goal of “universal access to comprehensive prevention programmes, treatment, care and support” by 2010. This goal calls for the international community to further build on the progress made in the global response to HIV/AIDS in recent years through, for example, the WHO/UNAIDS “3 by 5” initiative and the increased resources made available to countries by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, the World Bank, the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and other bilateral efforts, as well as by private foundations and nongovernmental organizations.

In this context, WHO, as the UNAIDS cosponsor responsible for the health sector response in the context of scaling up access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support, has established priorities for supporting countries on the basis of the following five Strategic Directions, each of which represents a critical area where the health sector must invest if countries are to make significant progress:
•    Enabling people to know their HIV status.
•    Maximizing the health sector's contribution to HIV prevention.
•    Accelerating the scale-up of HIV/AIDS treatment and care.
•    Strengthening and expanding health systems.
•    Investing in strategic information to guide a more effective response.
WHO has undertaken to monitor and evaluate the global health sector response in scaling up towards universal access and to produce annual reports. The 2009 report has recently been released.

The Paediatric HIV conference in Rwanda was considered to be a good occasion to share the findings of the 2009 UA Report worldwide but also to assess/review the specific contribution made by Rwanda towards global and country targets and discuss the challenges ahead.

2. Objectives of the panel

•    Share achievements and challenges towards universal access to HIV prevention and care and treatment services in the health sector in the world with an emphasis on women and children
•    Present achievements and challenges towards universal access to HIV prevention and care and treatment services in Rwanda with an emphasis on women and children
•    Propose recommendations to overcome current challenges for Rwanda to achieve universal access targets

3. Panel topics and expected outcomes
The 2009 report on Universal Access to HIV prevention and Care and Treatment services in health sector – Global perspective
1.    Outcome: Participants get to know the global perspectives and situation of UA in the world and situate Rwanda in a wider scenario.

Rwanda achievements and challenges towards Universal Access to HIV prevention and Care and Treatment services in health sector. 
•    Outcome: Participants get an overview of the achievements and challenges of Rwanda towards Universal Access and are able to formulate adequate recommendations in order to overcome the challenges

4. Methodology
The panel will regroup key HIV decision makers in Rwanda and representative from the UN organizations supporting UA in Rwanda.

During the session, participants will listen to two presentations (power point format) of 15 minutes each and one key note of 7 minutes from each panelist (outlined below). The moderator will introduce panelists for their key note in between the Q&A session. Participants will therefore interact with the panelist and the presenters and contribute with ideas and suggestions during the discussion.

5. Moderator, Presenters and Panelists
•    Moderator : Dr. Anita Asiimwe, CNLS Executive Secretary
•    Presenters (15 minutes each—power point presentation):
1.    Dr Francois Sobela (WHO)
The 2009 report on Universal Access to HIV prevention and Care and Treatment services in health sector – Global perspective
2.    Dr Jules Mugabo (TRACPlus)
Rwanda achievements and challenges towards Universal Access to HIV prevention and Care and Treatment services in health sector

•    Panelist and topics (7 minutes each ---NO power-point presentation):
•    Dr. Agnes Binagwaho, Permanent Secretary MOH
“Opportunities and challenges in financing of the national HIV response toward universal access in Rwanda”
•    Dr. Abdoulie Jack, Country Representative WHO,
“Opportunities and challenges toward universal access to HIV testing and counselling services, care and treatment for adults, and health system strengthening in Rwanda”
•    Dr. Joseph Foumbi- Country Representative UNICEF,
“Opportunities and challenges in achieving universal access for women and children to HIV prevention, Care and Treatment Services in Rwanda”.
•    Dr. Pratima Raghunathan, Director of CDC, Rwanda
“USG/PEPFAR perspectives in support to universal access to HIV prevention and care and treatment services in Rwanda”.
•    Dr. Amadou Moctar Mbaye, UNAIDS Country Coordinator
“Opportunities and challenges in coordination and partnerships for the national HIV response toward universal access in Rwanda”.

6. Logistics

Venue: Serena Hotel
Time: 5:00-7:00
Proposed number of participants: 60
 


7- Draft Agenda

Moderator:   Dr. Anita Asiimwe-CNLS Executive Secretary

Panelists: Dr. Agnes Binagwaho-Permanent Secretary MOH, Dr. Pratima Raghunathan- Director of CDC Rwanda,  Dr. Joseph Foumbi- Country representative UNICEF, Dr. Abdoulie Jack-Representative WHO,  Dr. Amadou Mbaye-UNAIDS Country Coordinator

Rapporteurs: Elizabetha Pegurri -UNAIDS, Dr. Vincent Mutabazi-TRAC Plus
Time     Activity
5:00-5:30    Participant registration and cocktail

5:30-5:35    Introduction and welcome

Dr. Anita Asiimwe-CNLS
5:35-5:55    The 2009 report on Universal Access to HIV prevention and Care and Treatment services in health sector – Global perspective

Dr Francois Sobela- WHO
5:55-6:10    Rwanda achievements and challenges towards Universal Access to HIV prevention and Care and Treatment services in health sector

Dr. Jules Mugabo- TRAC Plus
6:10-6:45    Open discussion Q&A

Panelists and moderators
6:45-7:00    Recommendations and Way forward

Moderator