Interplast works to ensure that its programs overseas and all aspects of its domestic operations are inclusive of people living with HIV. In all facets of its work, Interplast strives to ensure that people with HIV, or at risk of having HIV, are provided with equal opportunities, their confidentiality and privacy is protected and any stigmatisation and discrimination is avoided.
Interplast also works to ensure that HIV prevention measures are in place in the clinical aspects of its programs, and supports local partners to do the same.
Interplast acknowledges the impact of HIV on its direct beneficiaries, staff in partner organisations and its own staff. Interplast is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, non-discrimination, privacy and confidentiality in relation to respecting and protecting the rights of people with HIV.
Interplast acknowledges the linkages of HIV and disability and that “…persons living with HIV (asymptomatic or symptomatic) have impairments which, in interaction with the environment, results in stigma, discrimination or other barriers to their participation, they can fall under the protection of the Convention (Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities)”
Interplast will take appropriate steps to support any staff member affected by HIV and will provide guidance, materials and/or training to staff where there is an increased risk of exposure to HIV.
UNICEF has a number of useful resources which can be found here.
UNAIDS fact sheets can be found here.
Information and tools relating to the prevention of HIV in clinical health settings can be found here.
The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has country-by-country fact sheets available for download here.
The Australian Government’s Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare has developed a number of free online modules on basic principles of infection prevention and control, which can be found here.
The following organisations (to which Interplast is not affiliated) work across many of Interplast’s partner countries, with a focus on disability inclusion. They may be able to assist in developing policies, processes and other resources which are specific to local needs: