The HIV epidemic remains an exceptional plague in human history.  Never before has a disease has revealed such deep-seated issues in the field of public health. 

Since its first appearance in 1981, HIV has infected more than 65 million people.  If the prevention of opportunistic infections and the introduction of antiviral therapies since 1996 have upended the natural progression of the disease in rich countries, improving the life expectancy and quality of life of many patients, access to treatment is still cruelly lacking where the need for it is the most urgent.

However, never before has the international community mobilized so many resources for a disease, and antiretroviral therapy - particularly simplified combined regimes as first-line treatment - is becoming available in resource-limited settings. 

It is clear that expanding access to ARV treatment is the only rapid and effective response to the disease.  Lobbying for treatment must continue unflaggingly until universal access to treatment has been achieved.

The heart of Solthis' action is technical support for treatment and care according to two fundamental values: the high quality and sustainability of medical care for all persons living with HIV.

This approach poses important medical and scientific questions, but also political and programmatic ones. 

Solthis takes into account the specificities of the epidemic in regions and sub-regions of the world, and therefore does not offer "prefabricated solutions."  The faces of the disease are many: so must be our response to it.

To facilitate access to high-quality medical care in developing countries, it is absolutely crucial to understand the realities of each country - its strengths and weaknesses - and react accordingly.

HIV/AIDS is a chronic disease; we must therefore accept that new challenges and paradigms will arise, while still adhering to the same rigorous scientific and academic principles that apply in Western countries.

To respond to this double challenge -- to reconcile the realities in the field with the principle of high quality treatment -- Solthis continually develops its scientific and operational outlook in order to bring appropriate strategies to the countries where it works.  The expertise of Solthis' members in HIV could not possibly cover all problems encountered in the field.  Therefore, we encourage cooperative and multidisciplinary operational research, be it medical, anthropological*, economic, or political, to better understand local issues regarding HIV care.

In all cases, Solthis is attached to the principle of "non substitution" and acts only in support of local actors, not in their place.

* Solthis has developed a research partnership with the Laboratory for Study and Research on Social Dynamics and Local Development (the LASDEL), based in Niamey, Niger.  See, for example, the studies on adherence to ARV treatment (2006-2009).