News & storiesNew Advisory Panel for Aidsfonds – Soa Aids Nederland
News & storiesNew Advisory Panel for Aidsfonds – Soa Aids Nederland
New Advisory Panel for Aidsfonds – Soa Aids Nederland
Last updated on: 02 May 2024
Aidsfonds – Soa Aids Nederland is very happy and honoured to announce the members of the new Advisory Panel. This Panel consist of nine members: five community members; two health professionals; and two scientists. They will advice the Executive Board on tactical and operational questions, funding allocation and new funding and partnership opportunities. The Advisory Panel forms a representation of communities we work with in the Netherlands and in our international focus regions.
Communities know best
Working with communities as equals is at the heart of all our work. We aim for co-decision making in all the work we do. The communities know best what is needed and what works for them. Aidsfonds – Soa Aids Nederland is integrating participatory practices in different forms in all aspects of our work. The Advisory Panel will help us to achieve this goal.
The members
Cissy Kityo Mutuluuza Executive Director, Joint Clinical Research Centre, Kampala, Uganda, since 1991 involved in the hiv-response
Amanda Mariga Case Manager citizenship at the Hague Municipality, hiv-community activist and peer educator
Ndifanji Namacha – vice-chair Policy Manager at Transform Health, experience in global health advocacy, policy and providing technical leadership to HIV programs in Southern Africa
Marthe Zeldenrust Medical doctor, experience in hiv, infectious disease and sexual health care in Africa and the Netherlands
Camiel Welling (he/they/she)
Medical Supervisor of the Amsterdam Trans Clinic. Genderfluid community activist with a medical degree
Peter Reiss Professor emeritus of Medicine with particular focus on the complications of treatment of HIV infection, actively engaged in the global HIV/AIDS response for more than 40 years
Joy Ogingo Programs manager at Health and Economic Development Strategy Organization. Focussed on psychosocial support to reduce HIV transmission and empower youth living with HIV
Denis Nzioka Programmes Consultant – East African Trans Health Advocacy. Queer activist-author and a long-standing PanAfrican social justice activist based in Kenya
Jorian van Schagen (he/him) – chair LGBTQIA+ community member. Personally and professionally involved with sexual health and reproductive rights, with focus on hiv (prevention). Board member foundation PrEPnu
Members of the Advisory Panel act in their individual capacity and are not required nor expected to act as representatives of their own organisations, research area or sector. Being a member of the Advisory Panel is a voluntary position.
Medan faces significant challenges related to stigma and discrimination against PLHIV and the LGBTQI+ community. Access to healthcare services is limited, as many people are hesitant to seek medical help due to fears of rejection and discrimination. HIV issues and LGBTQI+ rights receive little policy attention, with healthcare services lacking inclusivity and minimal public education, worsening the situation for the LGBTQI+ community in addressing HIV in Medan.
Three new pilot projects for children living with HIV
Three new pilot projects for children living with HIV
In summer 2024 Aidsfonds launched three new pilot projects for children living with HIV. These projects were selected by Aidsfonds’ Paediatric HIV Advisory Panel. The projects aim to test new and innovative community-based approaches to identify and support children living with HIV who are underserved. This is important as these children are hard to reach, falling through the crack in the health care system.