Synthesis of Literature Review
Introduction
This study focuses on the effectiveness of the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The study will focus on the outcomes of various studies in relation to the fight against HIV/AIDS. NGOs have been highly instrumental in the fight against HIV/AIDS in various parts of the world. The objective of this study is to find out what area has been covered by the organizations and what percentage remains for the governments and the nationals. Mixed methods methodology has been used in carrying out this research.
Literature Review
HIV/AIDS has reached a pandemic level in the South African countries. Despite the economic struggle, the disease is threatening to affect majority of the population. These nations rely on NGOs to overcome the problem. Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a transmissible disease that leads to death (Decosas & Adrien, 1999). It is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and affects the immune system, which defends the body against infections. A person is left vulnerable to various infections. At the final stage, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) becomes AIDS (Dernberger, 2004).
Management of the pandemic
Since the drugs to manage the disease are expensive, most of the African nations have been forced to rely on NGOs for assistance (Griffiths, 2005). Other than the economic help, NGOs have been of great significance to the population in this region. In order to overcome the pandemic, most of the states have resorted to education as one of the guides against the disease (Dernberger, 2004). Education has taken various forms. For instance, people have come up with songs, which highlight the dangers of the disease and how the disease is acquired and transmitted. These songs are sung in most of the public forums. The media have joined hands and spread the message through airing of these songs. Education has further eradicated some of the misconceptions about the disease. For instance, some people had the belief that when they take part in sexual activities with uninfected virgins, then they would be cured of the disease. Such theories resulted to increased rape cases among young girls as young as four years of age (Adams et al, 2011). The result of such theories has been increased spread of HIV/AIDS. Education has further advocated for safer sexual practices. Through educative forums, the public has been made aware of the use of condoms, abstaining and being faithful to one sexual partner.
NGOs have undertaken the projects of creating national awareness through distribution of posters. These posters have served the youths and the young adults by warning them against promiscuity. The posters have mostly been along the roads, on the walls of the hospitals and in social places. The posters have enabled the public become aware of the effects of the disease through images. As a visual aide, posters have been instrumental in the management and spread of the pandemic. Awareness has been created through campaigns. As early as kindergarten age, NGOs ensure that the no one is left out. In addition, the NGOs offer free protection for the sexually active. Condoms are therefore freely distributed in public institutions such as colleges and hospitals. Volunteers in NGOs are encouraged to drive further the message home by distributed these condoms to prostitutes and to sexually active people in families. The campaign has taken a different perspective, as the clergy are encouraged to speak openly about the pandemic in churches and in Mosques. The main objective of the NGOs in undertaking these activities is to inform the public of the pandemic and reduce its spread.
Impact of the NGOs
The mission of UNAIDS in relation to HIV/AIDS is to lead in strengthening and supporting the prevention and transmission of the virus (UNAIDS, 2004). Most of the NGOs have come up with projects provide and care for the infected and the affected. The NGOs have further reduced the vulnerability of the people and the community at large. These NGOs have also minimized the social and the economic impact of the epidemic. This has been possible by joining in the fight against associate disease such as malaria that is still affecting natives in Africa. Therefore, NGOs such as the Global Fund are improving the lives of people by coming up with projects that foresee the reduction of the spread of TB and malaria. These projects have been of great help as they give free drugs and support in other forms such as mosquito nets. Support in various forms is approximated to be USD 19 billion (Sethna, 2003). The help of developed nations such as US achieves this funding. All these NGOs compliment the mission of UNAIDS.
HIV/AIDS as a killer disease affects all spheres of life. The widespread of the disease has led to the lagging behind of South African nations in terms of development. This is due to the major effects of the disease in every sector. Moreover, the disease has led to high poverty rates in these countries. By managing HIV/AIDS, the impact of NGOs is greatly felt in every sector of the nation (Sethna, 2003). The national governments are able to plan and manage their little income. The GDP of the nations is increasing from the low levels. This is due to the action of NGOs in alleviating pain to the affected. There is widespread employment in the non-governmental sector. This has been achieved by the widespread introduction of many projects. The same NGOs require manpower to achieve their mission. Therefore, many youths been incorporated in the activities of these organizations (Kareithi & Flisher, 2009). The result has been reduction of vices within the community as majority of the youths have actively incorporated.
NGOs have played a great role in influencing the public in making informed decisions on the kind of lifestyle they are to live (Beck, Mays, Whiteside & Zuniga, 2006). Better polices have been implemented. These organizations have further played the leading role in the preventions of the spread of the pandemic through the introduction of advocacy for the infected. Access to drugs to the infected has been made possible by the NGOs. The needs of the infected are also met through counselling and support of the health care. Stigmatization is presently being eradicated as awareness is enhanced and voluntary testing is encouraged (Chasi, 2014). Lives of the infected and the affected have drastically improved. This is felt by the improved living conditions and prevention of other diseases such as malaria and Tuberculosis.
Conclusion
This study has highlighted the effectiveness of the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Various positive outcomes are realized in the fight of this pandemic through NGOs. For instance, there is improved living standards of the infected and the affected. Communicable diseases among others are being managed by the same NGOs. There is support in terms of drugs and materials to the most affected in the communities. Therefore, NGOs have been highly instrumental in the fight against HIV/AIDS in various parts of the world. Since most of the actions in the fight of HIV/AIDS have been managed by the NGOs, the government has little to play other than making possible and better policies for the existence of the NGOs (Mervis, 2012).
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