Quito, Ecuador – Zack Elias, Director of the Silueta X Association, recently participated in the national ‘Pais Dialogues’ in Quito. This crucial meeting convened representatives from key populations, people living with HIV, and various organizations focused on human rights, health, and community well-being, all working to contribute to ending HIV/AIDS at the local and national levels.
Prioritizing Community Needs for National Funding
The objective of the multi-sectoral dialogue was to discuss community needs, propose strategies, and outline collaborative approaches to achieve national HIV response goals. A central focus of the discussions was ensuring that strategies are people-centered and guarantee the sustainability of community-led services.
The participation of Silueta X focused on reviewing and prioritizing the specific needs of their communities and identifying viable solutions. This vital groundwork is being done to ensure these priorities are included in the new funding application that Ecuador is preparing to submit to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in February 2025.
Strengthening the National Response
The collective effort aims to articulate proposals and strategies that can effectively reach and serve vulnerable communities, ensuring that the country’s next funding request is comprehensive and deeply rooted in the realities experienced by those most affected by the epidemic. The ongoing consultations seek to establish a robust framework for sustaining community health services.
