|
Bolivia
In 2022, the Joint Team supported Bolivia’s efforts to scale up stigma-free facility- and community-led HIV services to all citizens. An evaluation of national HIV services was concluded in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and informed recommendations including to prioritize the institutionalization and sustainability of community-led HIV programmes and improve access to HIV care for key populations. Building on these, advocacy, research, and capacity building efforts focused on reducing stigma and discrimination and ensuring equitable access to HIV services for all in Bolivia. For instance, HIV prevention services were included in an integral care standard for LGBTI populations in 3000 health facilities aiming to guarantee respect for the human rights of people from the LGBTI community, including by addressing violence based on gender identity and sexual orientation (UNFPA).
In addition, operational research on the elimination of stigma and discrimination in healthcare services was completed with a participation of 198 people living with HIV and 98 healthcare providers. The Government-approved final report indicated that the Stigma and Discrimination Pulsometer could generate critical data and bring positive behaviour change among healthcare providers and ultimately reduce HIV-related stigma and discrimination in health facilities (WHO, UNAIDS Secretariat).
Working towards decriminalizing HIV transmission, the Bolivian network of people living with HIV (REDBOL) and the community-based organization Asociación Un Nuevo Camino (ASUNCAMI) developed a proposal to modify the 2008 HIV Law. While no consensus has been reached yet, social dialogues were organized to leverage support from Senators of the Congress (UNAIDS Secretariat).