Journal of AIDS & Clinical Research

From Three Ones to Four Ones –Towards a Better Coordinated and Effective AIDS Response

Abstract

Wole Ameyan

The concept and rationale that birthed the Three Ones principle highlighted the need for a unifying national strategic framework, one national coordinating body and a cohesive monitoring and evaluation framework. However, with civil society of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) their networks and support groups being increasingly seen as the fulcrum of achieving the bottom lines of adherence and retention of any successful HIV program, their involvement and participation ought to be seen not as support casts but as valid and authentic pivots towards the quest to end AIDS. While the Three Ones has been implemented with varied success, this commentary calls for the inclusion of a fully functional and well-structured civil network of PLHIV as a Fourth One that supports, facilitates and galvanizes a robust PLHIV civil support network and that will triangulate with the three other key principles and ensure that the bottom lines are kept in the front burner.