In sub-Saharan Africa AIDS/HIV is the most important disease and cause of death in the population group between 15 and 49 years. There is no cure for AIDS, even though current antiretroviral treatment can considerably increase life expectancy. However, only half of AIDS patients have access to such treatment.

Moreover, the economic, social and political impact of the epidemic is hard to grasp. HIV/AIDS also threatens traditional mechanisms of solidarity inside the family and local community. That is why more and more families end up in a poverty spiral.

BTC commits to executing the recommendations of the Belgian policy notes with regards to HIV/AIDS , Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights , Gender, Children’s rights, Health and Health care, and Education . BTC also wants to contribute to international objectives, the Millennium Development Goals among others.

First and foremost, BTC wants to internally mainstream HIV/AIDS. This is done in the broader context of the ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ policy. The organisation has a strategic plan to organise prevention in the workplace (in Belgium as well as in the country offices) and to ensure access to treatment and health care for its staff members. This will also strengthen BTC’s credibility in fighting HIV/AIDS. This strategy is not standing alone. It is related to the promotion of sexual and reproductive health and rights, as well as gender equality at BTC.

Besides, BTC is promoting external mainstreaming. In every formulation of a new project it is investigated whether the project increases HIV/AIDS risks or whether realistic action points can be identified. In its health projects BTC especially pays attention to strengthening the health system. Indeed, many health workers are affected by the epidemic or they are working in specific programmes to fight HIV/AIDS. The consequence is that regular healthcare services are understaffed with all risks and consequences for the health of the local population.

Finally, BTC also supports projects that are specifically aiming at fighting HIV/AIDS. For instance, there is an awareness-raising project about HIV/AIDS in primary schools in Tanzania.

In this fight BTC works together with other organisations. BTC is a member of the AIDS platform and of the Because Health work group ‘Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. In the partner countries BTC works together with the ministries and the different partners concerned.