Honduras

Addressing gaps in data as a first step to securing essential medicines for people living HIV, Hepatitis C and TB.

In Honduras an estimated 21,000 people are living with HIV with just over half on treatment. There is no specific data for Hepatitis C. Further research is required to obtain the full picture for Hep C and also TB. This is a gap that our partner in Honduras aims to address.

Our focus

Our campaign partner, Fundación Llaves, is focused on research and advocacy to support the guidelines and goals within the government’s national health plans. The Ministry of Health has, in theory, made treatment available for everyone living with HIV since 2017. According to UNAIDS, domestic funding covers 95% of HIV treatment costs and 70% of HIV prevention programmes. The commitment has resulted in new HIV infections decreasing by 29% since 2010, but AIDS-related deaths have increased by 11%.

Fundación Llaves plans to provide the government with evidence-based recommendations to address the treatment gap for HIV and reduce the price of medicines so the health budget can reach everyone in need. For Hep C and TB, establishing the real extent of need and the barriers to diagnosis and access will be the first step.

A Manual of Procedures for the Comprehensive Management of Sexually Transmitted Infections was published by Honduras’ Ministry of Health in 2015. Hepatitis C is stated in the document despite not being considered a sexually transmitted disease, but lacks information in about the management, care and recommended medications. 

Fundación Llaves  priorities include:

• Research into the prevalence of Hep C and TB, and barriers to diagnosis and treatment.

• Provide recommendations for increasing HIV treatment coverage to reduce AIDS-related deaths. This includes ways to reach people for testing and treatment.

• Identify intellectual property barriers that are resulting in key medicines being overpriced. 

• Advocate for strategies, including stricter patent examinations, so the country’s health budget can provide universal access for people living with HIV, Hep C and TB.

Last updated May 2019.