Manifiesto- UDCAS PR-HOME

Preamble


On April 16, 2007, Puerto Rico's HIV/AIDS community, persons directly affected or infected with-HIV/AIDS took a key step by creating UNID@OS DANDOLE CARA AL SIDA. This meeting was supporter by patients, their family and friends, along with representatives of community based organizations (OBC) and national organizations most notably the Latino Commission on Aids and the National Minority AID Council.


Those present took the time to tackle the current AIDS situation in Puerto Rico, which in culminated in November 2006 by the sudden dissolution of the San Juan Eligible Metropolitan Area EMA Planning Council by the mayor.


Given the urgency of this situation and the importance of community activism we were able to regroup our efforts in asking all Puerto Ricans to unite with persons living with aids. With this circle of commitment, we can eliminate the discrimination, apathy, cynicism and corruption of health services given to HIV/AIDS patients in Puerto Rico.


IN PUERTO RICO:


1. We Declare and recognize that after more than 25 years since the inception of theHIV/AID epidemic, we have allowed ourselves to fall into a state of complacencywhich has interrupted the advances of the last quarter of the century. The general collapse of the public health system is the direct results of the domino effect ofthe dismantling of the community based organizations due to the lack ofinformation, resources and overall services for HIV/AIDS patients. This problemis imposed on the most affected and needy.


2. Do not support abstinence as the sole strategy of prevention is ineffective andirresponsible. Prevention has to be adapted to our social reality. It is essential thatour public be informed as well as educated concerning methods of preventionthat provide ample results not repression. It is important that prevention effortsinclude:


a. Educational materials for students from elementary to the university
levels,
b. Massive campaigns including abstinence and safe sex
c. Distribution of condoms and syringes to the population affected as ameans of
harm reduction.
d. A campaign geared towards specifically the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and
Transgender
population, and persons over 50 years of age.


3. It is understood that the lack of primary and secondary prevention may be thecause of the crisis we live. Resulting in lethal disinformation amongst thepopulation that is at the highest risk whose final results is still unknown to all ofus.


4. Propose to organize and establish a massive "National HIV Testing Day"annually on July 27. Without the resources, disposition or the political will tooffer optimum quality treatments and services constitutes an act of irresponsibility of criminal nature.


The continual interference of treatment including the rationing of medications and loss of support of adherence results not only a physical imbalance for the patients but an environmental imbalance catastrophically irreversible causing desperate reactions of suicide.


5. Denounce the millions of dollars that are utilized on administrative costs thatconsume a large percentage of public and private grants in an attempt to eradicatethe epidemic.


6. Censure the "AIDS, INC.," concept, a term refers to a groups or persons that have
benefits of an exploitive and abusive industry while misusing the resources designated for
HIV/AIDS patients.


7. Today, we reaffirm the necessity and commitment to put a face on HIV/AIDS so that united we can refocus on two essential issues that that cannot be forgotten:
a. A search, for a vaccine for the virus.
b. A search for a cure.


This is our purpose, method and driving force.



Thank You