Past National Chapters – HIV Outcomes Germany

Members of HIV Outcomes German Secretariat are drafting a position paper on the mid-term of the national HIV strategy by the federal government. This document will encompass recommendations for the national HIV strategy, and will showcase current concerns, in order to further enhance measures to combat HIV in Germany.

The German HIV Outcomes Secretariat participated in the SEISIDA conference in Madrid, where it presented its policy recommendations and good practices on how to reduce stigma against people living with HIV. These German good practices were compiled with others in the compendium of good practices.

Member experts defined topics to be included in their work agenda for 2023 and discussed the pending evaluation of the national HIV strategy at halftime. Among other key items for this year, it has been decided that “ageing with HIV” will be particularly focused on.

Additionally, the HIV Outcomes German Secretariat participated in a meeting in Brussels to prepare the roundtable in Madrid, together with the other country secretariats.

Together with a number of associations, HIV Outcomes Germany published a plea directed at the German government on the occasion of the 2022 World AIDS Day. The topics of the joint statement are the national HIV strategy and the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, which Germany is in danger of missing. As the national HIV strategy enters its halftime in 2023, the goal is to encourage the German government to evaluate and sharpen its measures to stop HIV/AIDS.

A plea for WAD was sent out to the Ministry of Health calling for year-round attention to the subject of HIV care. The press release was sent to members of parliament, ministries, and other important stakeholders. The German Secretariat held talks with potential new members to expand the initiative’s membership, including doctors, academics, and civil society activists. 

A position paper on the nationwide provision of PrEP was prepared and sent out. In particular, the position paper addresses extra-budgetary reimbursement, PrEP coverage in rural areas, and coverage of all key groups aside from Men who have Sex with Men (MSM).

A workshop was organized where members set the strategy for the next year and a half. The focus of the workshop was HIV Outcomes Germany’s roadmap for 2023. The next year will be particularly interesting because the national HIV strategy is entering its halftime and the government is planning new legislation concerning prevention. HIV Outcomes Germany wants to be the key contact for this and contribute its in-depth expertise.

The partnership between HIV Outcomes Germany’s members has been put on a strong foundation through a joint Letter of Intent where the goal of improving the collaboration between members was set. This will enable an even closer cooperation and will facilitate the inclusion of new members.

The Munich AIDS and COVID Days brought together the HIV community and science and HIV Outcomes Germany was also part of the event. Three members presented the initiative with the support of the co-sponsors in an interactive discussion format. A lively discussion about the goals and ideas of the initiative emerged with the broadly mixed audience. Together, various aspects of HIV care in Germany were discussed, for example, further opportunities for education, especially of young people.

#wekeepgoing: Under this motto, HIV Outcomes Germany met with Tessa Ganserer (Alliance 90 / The Greens), one of the first trans women in the German Bundestag. Numerous key issues were discussed, including HIV-related stigma and discrimination, the global fight against HIV and AIDS, the health-related quality of life of older people living with HIV, and the lack of scientific research on the health of transgender people. Much remains to be done in the new legislative session! #hivoutcomesmeetspoliticians

German steering group member Jens Ahrens joined HIV Outcomes Europe for the World AIDS Day event on December 1. He discussed HRQoL and how the quality of care for people living with HIV can be increased in the future.

HIV Outcomes Germany started to reach out to new MPs to keep HIV on the political agenda for the coming term. The secretariat has already contacted MPs who have proven their expertise in HIV and AIDS. The initiative is planning to meet many members of the German Parliament to spread our key messages from the position paper in 2022. 

Autumn was dominated by the 2021 Federal Election and its aftermath. HIV Outcomes Germany monitored the government’s formation and analysed the coalition agreement. Additionally, a position paper consisting of five key demands was drafted for the new legislative term.

At the International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Science, the initiative will discuss the consequences of Covid-19 on the quality of life of people living with HIV at a satellite symposium together with the European partners.

HIV Outcomes puts HIV on the political agenda! Before the parliamentary election, HIV Outcomes Germany spoke to Kordula Schulz-Asche (Alliance 90 / The Greens), Member of the Health Committee, about challenges for people living with or working in the field of HIV during COVID-19 Pandemic. Ongoing discrimination and stigmatization of people with HIV were central topics of the conversation. The overall consensus was clear: Political adjustments must be made. #hivoutcomesmeetspoliticians

HIV Outcomes engaged in a dialogue with the HIV community and science at the German-Austrian AIDS Congress (DÖAK). With a booth, a campfire as well as a poster, the initiative was able to discuss challenges and ideas “beyond viral suppression” with the community.

HIV Outcomes Germany is growing: At the second workshop, two new participants were welcomed to the initiative and the organizational structure was discussed. Furthermore, the initiative had a first exchange with political actors and was able to discuss how HIV/AIDS remains on the political agenda with Andrew Ullmann (Free Democratic Party), Member of the German Parliament and Chairman of the Health Committee. #hivoutcomesmeetspoliticians

HIV Outcomes Germany introduces itself! On World AIDS Day, the initiative aims to raise awareness for the topic of HIV/AIDS. For this purpose, a short video has been published on social media. Message: #wekeepgoing

During the first workshop in September, the working group engaged in intense discussions to specify and agree upon the main goals and thematic priorities of the initiative.

Results:

– In Germany, HIV Outcomes will for now focus on the parallels between HIV and COVID-19 and what lessons we can learn from them.

– Studies have shown that stigma and discrimination against people with HIV are possible causes of mental illness, which is why mental health will be another key topic.

– Moreover, the initiative will also focus on digitalization of the health care system and the associated opportunities and challenges that exist for people with HIV.

Following the successful launch, the German secretariat called each participant individually to discuss key issues and identify target groups. Based on these conversations, a first draft of a consensus paper was prepared. What were the major themes of the draft? Mental Health and Digitalization.

HIV Outcomes Germany is launched! For the first time, the initiative comes together for a digital kick-off meeting.