Global collaboration
Netherlands collaborates and shares technical assistance and knowledge with other countries at the global level. At the same time, it also learns from partner countries that have their own set of challenges and solutions. Partnerships are key, working together across sectors and national boundaries is deeply embedded in the country's traditions.
Stoelinga gave one the example of one such initiative - the HIV-Cohort between India, Netherlands and Sweden. Launched during Prime Minister Mark Rutte's visit to India in May this year, the programme is aimed at tapping into complementary, diverse research strengths and expertise across the three countries to strengthen the development of better tools to understand and address the epidemic of HIV/AIDS, informed Stoelinga.
Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are closely related to the goal of ending AIDS. For the Dutch government, the diagnosis, treatment and subsequently, ending AIDS is also closely linked to two of its international policy priorities - SRHR and women empowerment. "We focus on linking SRHR with HIV/AIDS to ensure people have the knowledge and the means to prevent HIV. Linking HIV/AIDS initiatives with SRHR also create an enabling environment in which individuals are free to take decisions to protect themselves."
Stoelinga emphasised that Netherlands government's priority is to find a functional or real cure for HIV infection. Various research programmes, such as the one at Erasmus Medical College, have been set up to reach this goal. While this is still at a research stage and not clinical practice, he reiterated that the Netherlands will continue to strive for a functional cure against HIV/AIDS.
Stoelinga firmly believes that HIV/AIDS issues also form a vital branch for UN's Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good health and well-being) and Goal 5 (Gender equality). "Netherlands has been consistently performing well under the SDG 3. Our country is in full compliance with the international health regulations, and for seven years in a row it has topped the European Health Consumer Index".
Shobha Shukla, CNS (Citizen News Service)
(Shobha Shukla is the Managing Editor of CNS (Citizen News Service) and is leading CNS onsite at 22nd International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2018) in Netherlands. Follow her on Twitter @Shobha1Shukla or @CNS_Health or visit www.citizen-news.org)
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