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The Need | LifeRise Strategy

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The Need

AIDS is the end stage of HIV infection. Those with AIDS are usually very sick not only from the effects of the disease itself, but also from accompanying illnesses. For those suffering with AIDS, treatment with antiretroviral medicines can be life-saving. A person may be on death’s door and experience dramatic improvement in a few weeks. Treatment is life-long once started, and turns AIDS from a death sentence to a chronic disease. Spiritually, those hurting with AIDS need the grace and compassion of Christ. Treatment gives people a window of time to come into a relationship with the Lord and live for Him.

Challenges to Treatment

Despite the benefits of treatment, there are many challenges to expanding access in the developing countries in which LifeRise AIDS Resources serves. These challenges range from global problems such as the availability of generic pharmaceuticals, to health infrastructure challenges such as the lack of trained medical staff, to individual issues such as viral resistance that may develop as a result of interruptions in treatment. There are special challenges to treatment of children, including lack of a definitive means to make a diagnosis of HIV in infancy and the unavailability of pediatric drug formulations.

Gap in Services

Although access to antiretroviral medicines in resource-limited countries has expanded in the past few years, by the end of December 2005, at least 80% of those in clinical need were not receiving treatment (UNAIDS, 2006). Only 1 in 10 children in need receive treatment (Unicef, 2007). Without treatment, over half of children with AIDS will die before their 2nd birthday. Each year, more adults and children advance into the stage when they will need treatment, while those already receiving treatment need to be maintained. Significant challenges to providing treatment mean there is still a long way to go to achieve the international goal of universal access by 2010.

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LifeRise Strategy

LifeRise AIDS Resources projects will help provide treatment for AIDS and accompanying illnesses to adults and children.  We will partner with Christian mission and church-based hospitals and clinics to provide core clinical services and with grassroots organizations and their communities to provide support services.

LifeRise will consider the following interventions:

• Antiretroviral treatment, including community networks for decentralized delivery of drugs and support for adherence;
• Treatment of opportunistic infections, such as active tuberculosis;
• Food and nutrition for those on antiretroviral treatment;
• Psychosocial support;
• Income generation at a household level to help offset the costs of treatment and care;
• Strengthening health systems and training health care providers for antiretroviral treatment.

Other interventions related to treatment may be found under palliative care.

Jesus has been called the “Great Physician” (Luke 4:23). LifeRise will direct people to Him as the ultimate source of their healing and restoration to wholeness.

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