 Fundacion Huésped (FH) was established in Argentina in 1989 following the detection of the first HIV/AIDS cases in the country. Its history is directly related to the fight against stigma and discrimination as well as other key issues that have prevented People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) from enjoying a good quality of life, such as access to treatment. Since it was created, Fundacion Huésped has been involved in advocacy for key laws to guarantee universal access to treatment and free public transportation for PLHIV. Fundacion Huésped has supported and encouraged the development of laws and programs to improve the assistance, care and treatment for PLHIV in Argentina, and has established guidelines for the prevention of stigma and discrimination in workplaces, medical centers, schools, etc. Key priorities have been the training of hundreds of public healthcare providers and the empowerment of community based organizations composed of PLHIV. In addition, Fundacion Huésped has worked hard to develop new treatments through clinical research studies that improve quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS, especially low-income individuals.
 Today, Fundacion Huésped works in five interrelated areas that provide an integral response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic:
Communication and Raising Awareness about HIV/AIDS - FH works to facilitate access to clear, simple and effective information on HIV/AIDS. The organization develops campaigns to disseminate prevention messages and strives to raise the level of awareness about the disease through the media. The Foundation actively participates in public events in order to better disseminate its messages directly to the beneficiaries, advocate for improved inclusion of PLWHIV, and fight stigma. FH manages the Secretariat of the IMLAS, a coalition of television companies from throughout Latin America that was created to strengthen the effectiveness of the media in combating AIDS. Also, for the past ten years, Fundación Huésped has produced a special television show broadcasted on one of Argentina’s main channels devoted to confronting stigma and discrimination, which is viewed by more than 2 million people on World AIDS Day each year.
Capacity Building and Prevention - FH implements a comprehensive model of intervention on sexual and reproductive rights, HIV and sexually transmitted diseases, mostly aimed at vulnerable populations. The organization facilitates access to information, prevention and care, and provides technical assistance in order to build capacity to address HIV/AIDS. FH implements several sexual and reproductive health projects in different parts of the country and in the region. In recent years, FH has launched and strengthened its activities in Northwestern Argentina, which is home to the country’s poorest and most vulnerable indigenous populations.
Community Support - FH works to promote healthy living conditions of people living with HIV/AIDS, with the understanding that health and welfare are not only physical conditions, but also mental and social ones. FH provides a caring and supportive environment and implements projects on issues related to human rights and mental health. FH is in charge of implementing the People Living with HIV Stigma Index in Argentina as a key tool to provide continuous qualitative and quantitative information on people living with HIV/AIDS, with the aim of improving programs and policies in order to decrease the cases of stigma and discrimination inflicted upon this population as well as to address human rights violations.
Supporting Youth - FH works to promote health and reproductive rights of young people, facilitate their access to information and create effective messages to strengthen their communication skills and leadership so that they may better confront the challenges of HIV/AIDS. One good example of FH’s work in this area is the Dance4Life project, an international initiative that has been implemented in 25 countries which engages youth and adolescents in the schools to promote HIV prevention.
Clinical Research - FH is a recognized institution in the area of clinical research, and conducts studies nationally and internationally. Its scientists both develop original research projects and work in partnership with other institutions and the pharmaceutical industry. FH also organizes ongoing medical and paramedical trainings for healthcare professionals. In 2010, FH enrolled 289 patients in clinical trials, and participated in 22 new research protocols, two of which are exclusively dedicated to pediatric patients. In addition, it has carried out 10 studies on experimental drug use.
Fundacion Huésped is most active in the city of Buenos Aires and in the Province of Buenos Aires. Important projects are also carried out in Northwestern provinces of Salta and Jujuy. In addition, Fundación Huésped recognizes that a regional approach is vital to stopping the epidemic, which is why it carried out activities around Latin America in Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Brazil, Colombia and Costa Rica, among other countries.
To learn more about Fundación Huésped and how you can support its work, please contact The Resource Foundation at 212-675-6170. Donations may be made to Fundación Huésped through The Resource Foundation by clicking here.
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