Strategy and policy

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The WHO Regional Office, in consultation with regional stakeholders, has developed a regional strategy for health sector response to HIV for 2011–2015. Its purpose is to advocate for urgent action by Member States to enhance the contribution of the health sector to achieving universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support and, ultimately, to attaining the Millennium Development Goals.

The goal of the strategy is to reduce the transmission of HIV and to improve the health of people living with HIV. Its specific objectives focus on enhancing HIV-related information, increasing access to HIV care, treatment and preventive services and strengthening health systems.

The strategy identifies strategic priorities for countries, taking into account the epidemiological situation in the Region and the main obstacles and challenges faced by governments, civil society and their partners.

It takes into consideration commitments made by the United Nations General Assembly in 2001 and 2006 and strategic directions for the achievement of universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support developed by WHO and UNAIDS.

The strategy builds on the regional strategy for strengthening health sector response to HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections 2006–2010 and is complementary to the regional strategy for the prevention and control of sexually transmitted infections 2009–2015, which does not cover HIV.

The strategy was endorsed by Member States in the 57th session of the Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean in 2010 (resolution EM/RC57/R.5).

Related links

Regional strategy for health sector response to HIV 2011–2015 [pdf 106Mb]

Strengtheninghealth sector response to HIV/AIDs and sexually transmitted infections in the Eastern Mediterranean Region 2006–2010 [pdf 615kb]