ANAC is proud to support nurses and other healthcare professionals caring for people living with or affected by HIV and its comorbidities around the world. Our Global HIV Nursing Committee helps ensure we support the HIV Nursing workforce around the world by identifying and responding to the diverse issues affecting our nursing colleagues. This year, the Global HIV Nursing Committee has grown to 23 members, hosted a webinar about HIV prevention and care for youth in Malawi with Lucy Nyirenda and worked on additional programs that will launch later this summer. We are excited to shine the spotlight on this committee's achievements this month by talking to two of its members.

Years as an ANAC member: 7

It provides a platform where I am able to learn and contribute to advocacy and share knowledge about HIV and AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa, which has the highest prevalence of HIV and AIDS globally. The UNAIDS 2021 fact sheet figures indicate that as of 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa is home to two thirds (67%) of people living with HIV. I recently joined the Global Committee but I feel very welcomed and motivated by the passion and commitment of members of the committee. I feel very privileged to be part of such a global network of passionate nurses on the frontlines of HIV work. 

I am a registered nurse in Ghana, West Africa and have practiced nursing for 10 years in diverse settings, including bedside nursing, education and currently in occupational health. In my line of work, I assist people with various chronic conditions, including HIV infection. I have seen the effect that HIV infection can have on an individual and its effect on their work, family and community. My major interest is in the area of stigma and discrimination and how it influences adherence to treatment. I believe ending stigma and discrimination is central to ending HIV and AIDS.

My favorite thing about being a member of ANAC is the passion and commitment I see in members to do all they can at all cost to push the agenda of ending HIV and AIDS and its associated stigma and discrimination. This is very inspiring and serves as motivation for me to do my part.  

Years as an ANAC member: 1.5

The global committee is an opportunity for me to connect with other passionate nurses worldwide. In my short time with the global committee, I have collaborated with other nurse scholars on an editorial for JANAC on resiliency. The discussions and work facilitated by the global committee and its members have wide-reaching implications. Our regular webinar offerings provide nurses and other primary HIV care providers vital information and context on issues affecting HIV nursing practice and PWH.

My desire to seek mentorship and expertise in HIV nursing was my primary motivation. In the Philippines, there is little opportunity to begin and maintain a specialized and independent nursing practice. My work in HIV revolved around HIV prevention, education, testing and counseling, most of which were devoid of the art and science of nursing. I hope that through ANAC and this committee I can help advance HIV nursing science and practice here in the Philippines.

ANAC is my professional home away from home. I get to nurture my passion, advance my professional expertise and collaborate with other nurses and allies. ANAC, through its journal, JANAC, provided me an avenue to share valuable insight into the Philippine HIV/AIDS epidemic with other HIV professionals. It's a source of great pride that I became the first AIDS Certified Registered Nurse (ACRN) from and based in the Philippines.

Interested in getting involved with ANAC's Global HIV Nursing Committee? Visit our website to learn more!