Positive Action for Treatment Access (PATA)

The organisation’s objectives are to:

• promote access to treatment education;
• advocate for access to affordable qualitative diagnostic tests and drugs to treat HIV/AIDS;
• ensure non-discriminatory gender-based responses to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment;
• support the full participation of people with HIV/AIDS in all responses;
• work in partnership with other persons and institutions including governments to facilitate information sharing and build platforms for networking;
• build capacity of people and institutions at all levels to ensure an increase in treatment access; and
• facilitate sector-wide HIV/AIDS prevention, testing, and treatment of HIV/AIDS.

PATA has several programme areas that cover a broad range of communication and advocacy strategies:

• The Frontiers Project (FP) - According to organisers, most HIV/AIDS programmes widely available focus on economically poor and lower class people, the result being that many Nigerians see HIV as a 'poor person's disease'. This programme is designed to reach middle and upper class people living with HIV who have nowhere to seek support. FP held its first meeting in March 2004 with 8 people present. It has since grown to a membership of 23 upwardly mobile young professionals.
• Media Education Project - Under the media education project, PATA has developed a 10-episode Health Tip segment for AM Express, a breakfast national network programme that has over 30 million viewers. PATA has facilitated sessions at workshops training media gatekeepers, The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nigerian Women Journalists (NAWOJ), and The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE). PATA has also conducted trainings at skills building workshops locally and internationally. The organisation also has a regular column in one of Nigeria's major newspapers.
• Treatment Advocacy - According to organisers, there is a need to always keep treatment issues on the front burner of the HIV/AIDS agenda and help communities to understand what is available and can be strengthened. PATA has facilitated in-country meetings to help people with HIV understand the global fund structure and their roles in Cams. They are also actively involved in various treatment efforts and group responses.
• Resource Mobilisation Project - PATA has introduced a Buyers club to help alleviate the financial burden of purchasing drugs for HIV/AIDS treatment. The aim of the Buyers Club is to start a drug revolving fund for the purchase of tax free drugs to help with the treatment of those who cannot afford the expensive drugs and/or have no access to free and or subsidised government programmes.
• Public Education - PATA has been involved in a lot of treatment literacy programmes in health facilities and other support groups of people with HIV in various parts of the country. PATA, through its executive director, has also given talks in churches, schools, Alumni associations, and other clubs and societies. They have been involved with training staff of organisations on treatment literacy and HIV prevention.
• People for People Project (Stigma Fighter) - In June 2004, PATA conducted a training of 50 people from organisations and support groups on HIV/AIDS related stigma and discrimination. At the end of the one-day training, a stigma fighter corps was formulated who made a commitment to challenge and address stigma and discrimination wherever they see it manifest.
• Positive Moments - Positive moments is PATAs newsletter. Its aim is to fulfill the organisation's vision of ensuring that every individual is knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS and every person with a chronic illness can access affordable, available, qualitative, ethical, and humane treatment.

Episodes from the TV show as well as previous and current newsletters can be found on PATAs website.

HIV/AIDS, Health, Rights.

PATA‘s vision is that every person living with HIV/AIDS will be able to access affordable and available treatment, which will empower them to take charge of their lives and health.