Above: Co-Founder & Executive Director James Fraser discusses Dignitas's work (courtesy of Sullivan Entertainment).

Below: Dr. James Orbinski and James Fraser discuss the approach to bringing HIV/AIDS-related treatment to outlying communities.

Dignitas International works with local and national health institutions to increase access to HIV/AIDS-related prevention, treatment, care and support through ongoing training, support and direct service provision.
 

Program activities include:

• HIV Testing and Counselling (HTC);
• Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT);
• The treatment and prevention of opportunistic infections and sexually transmitted infections;
• Palliative and psychosocial care;
• Treatment with life-extending ARV therapies.

Dignitas places an emphasis on the development of community-based approaches to extend the reach and impact of existing health facilities. It is by creating a supportive loop between hospitals, health centres and communities that the vast numbers of people who need treatment will be able to access it.

"Increased access to comprehensive HIV care and support, including antiretroviral medicines and treatment for HIV-related opportunistic infections, is a global priority.

AIDS-related care is a vital and powerful investment that directly impacts people living with HIV/AIDS and reduces the social and economic impact of the epidemic and boosts prevention efforts."

-UNAIDS AIDS Epidemic Update, December 2003.