VOLUNTOURISM: HIV/Aids Opportunities

VOLUNTOURISM: HIV/Aids Opportunities

One of the benefits of travel is experiencing other cultures in other countries around the world. Travel allows you to embrace the freedom of flight and learn from others on the other side of the world. It opens the mind, body, and soul to a new way of living. But for 22 years, people living with HIV/AIDS were banned from travel... until now.

President Barack Obama overturned a travel ban earlier this month to lift the 22 year-old U.S. travel and immigration ban on those living with HIV/AIDS, a move applauded by travel industry groups and health care organizations. The U.S. regulation prevented non-U.S. citizens living with HIV from entering the country and HIV-positive people from becoming permanent U.S. residents – except under exceptional circumstances. The news traveled to the other side of the world - HIV agencies in Australia, Asia, and the South Pacific welcomed Obama's end to the “discriminatory” policy.

“At an international level, it will help ease the stigma associated with HIV and encourage people to get tested and receive treatment,” said ACON chief executive officer Nicolas Parkhill. ACON is an Australian-based corporation that promotes the health and well-being of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community. “This will significantly improve HIV prevention efforts here in Australia and especially in many Asian and Pacific countries where HIV transmission rates continue to escalate.”

In the meantime, medical volunteers are working around the world to help those living with HIV/AIDS. African countries have been hit hard by the HIV/AIDS epidemic and volunteer groups including Waltz Volunteer Inc., provide voluntourism opportunities for medical professionals.

The programs aim to raise awareness of the disease through education and access to medical care. Medical professionals specializing in treating the HIV/AIDS virus work with children in African villages to educate and counsel, and provide education on safe sex, HIV testing, and basic hygiene practices. This particular program is available to volunteers in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Cameroon, and South Africa.

Health care professionals agree that education is the first form of defense against contracting the HIV/AIDS virus. Volunteer groups including Global Cultural Solutions and Experiential Learning offer AIDS Awareness programs aimed at educating communities in impoverished areas about the AIDS epidemic.

The Global Cultural Solutions program allows volunteers to craft their own two-week program, based on the community where they are placed. Volunteers don't have to have a medical degree, but they must have an understanding of the HIV/AIDS virus. Volunteers visit schools in Ghana and hold workshops and support sessions for women, children, and families.

While education is the key to prevention, medicine is the key to survival for those living with the HIV/AIDS virus. Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) began treating people living with HIV in the 1990s and now operates HIV/AIDS programs in 32 countries including Ecuader, Peru, China, Cambodia, India, and dozens of countries throughout Africa. MSF provides treatment to more than 100,000 HIV-positive patients- including 7,000 children, but a recent report shows that some countries have stopped treating HIV-infected patients. Countries in Uganda and cities throughout South Africa are backing away from previous treatment coverage, which has resulted in an estimated 3,000 deaths since the beginning of the year.

Now that the travel ban has been lifted, those living with HIV/AIDS will enjoy a bit more freedom to roam the world, and may even find it easier to receive treatment in other countries. However, 67 countries still enforce travel restrictions on people with HIV/AIDS. HIVTravel.org lists countries with and without travel restrictions, including countries with short- and long-term travel restrictions. In the meantime, voluntourism efforts to increase the education around HIV/AIDS continue and with an open travel plan, it just might make it easier for those suffering with the virus to get the medical attention they need.

About Melanie Nayer

Melanie Nayer is an award-winning editor and writer for various travel and online publications with a focus on women's health and travel. Melanie’s goal is to bring readers the best inside information on travel, food, and culture from her experiences around the world. She is a frequent guest on national radio shows and an expert in planning travel for every type of personality and budget. Previously, Melanie was a business, community and political/economics reporter for leading newspapers including The Boston Globe. She also contributed articles to magazines and online publications including Fortune Magazine, Boston.com, NYT.com, and currently writes for various in-flight airline magazines. You can learn more about Melanie on her Website: http://www.melanienayer.com