Global AIDS Learning & Evaluation Network (GALEN) - Global

A primary objective of IAPAC's GALEN is to recognize, support, and enhance the number of physicians and other healthcare providers who can make optimal use of available (or soon to become available) HIV treatments, diagnostic technologies, and services. IAPAC expects that the programme, which is named after the ancient Greek physician and scholar Galen, will contribute to additional levels of educational development within participating countries.

IAPAC's International HIV Practice Committee - co-chaired by Cameron and Dr. Elly Katabira (Makrere University, Kampala, Uganda) - is developing a core curriculum of essential basic and advanced subject matter information for HIV/AIDS treating physicians in the developing world. The core curriculum will be presented to Ministries of Health and academic institutions in countries wishing to benefit from GALEN. The core curricula and accompanying training and examination materials will be individualized for each setting by local panels of experts, while reflecting a growing international consensus on evidence-based HIV/AIDS core competencies.

GALEN's curriculum includes topics such as encountering HIV/AIDS in practice, pathogenesis of HIV disease, mechanisms of transmission, interventions (clinical and social), epidemiology, ethical considerations, laboratory testing, principles of antiretroviral therapy, and prophylaxis and treatment of opportunistic infections.

Training and certification is offered in both basic (non-antiretroviral drug specific) and advanced (antiretroviral drug specific) HIV medicine. GALEN basic and advanced courses (with both didactic and experiential components) will be taught at local academic institutions by accredited faculty.

A participant who passes the examination(s) will receive an IAPAC HIV Medicine Certificate entitling him/her to use of a certified HIV medical specialist designation.

HIV/AIDS, Education

In announcing GALEN, IAPAC President Jose M. Zuniga argued that "simply parachuting sophisticated anti-HIV drugs into developing countries without addressing deficiencies in medical infrastructure is a prescription for disaster." He said the 10,800-member strong IAPAC is developing strategic partnerships with Ministries of Health, academe, medical societies, healthcare payers, the private sector, and donors that will strengthen existing medical education programmes and, thus, help facilitate the safe and optimal use of HIV/AIDS drugs, including antiretrovirals. With 95 percent of the 34.3 million HIV-infected people globally now living in developing countries, improved access to adequate HIV/AIDS care in these countries is essential. Since antiretroviral drug access has extended the survival many people living with HIV/AIDS in the industrialized world, AIDS advocates, civil society leaders, government officials, and pharmaceutical companies are pushing for expanded access to antiretroviral drugs.

IAPAC plans to launch demonstration projects in several developing countries. The short list of countries under consideration includes Belize, Botswana, Côte d'Ivoire, Kenya, Senegal, South Africa, Thailand, and Uganda.