Consultation on Ethics and Equitable Access to Treatment and Care for HIV/AIDS

This report presents the points discussed at a global consultation held in January 2004 on ethics and care and treatment for HIV/AIDS. The international consultation was convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). Participants reviewed three background papers and discussion focused on the nature of ethical guidance; role of human rights and law; HIV/AIDS versus other conditions; relevant ethical principles; fair process; priority of treatment and the poor; cost recovery or free at point of delivery; urgency, emergency, and sustainability; implementation; health systems support; partnerships; people living with HIV/AIDS; gender; and monitoring and evaluation. The participants agreed that models for guidance should include three broad components: a list of ethical principles to be resolved, ethical principles and an acceptable process by which to consider the relevant issues; and indicators for monitoring and evaluation. A list of participants is attached.