April 1998, Vol 1. No. 2

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MEDICAL FACILITIES: AN INTERVIEW WITH PATRIZIO LORENZI

Patrizio Lorenzi is an MD who has been working for some years with Professor Bernard Hirschel's team at the Infectious Diseases Dept. of the Geneva Cantonal and University Hospital (HCUG). His experience and sensitivity as an HIV consultant are among the reasons he was chosen to co-ordinate medical facilities for Conference participants.

What will be the medical facilities on site at Palexpo during the Conference?

A fully-equipped clinic (nurses and doctors from the HCUG HIV Consultation, a stocked pharmacy, blood tests) will be available for all Conference participants. Opening hours will be those of the Conference site. All services rendered at the clinic will be free of charge (consultation and on-the-spot delivery of necessary prescription drugs). There will be no general check-ups at the clinic and no new anti-retroviral therapies will be initiated during the Conference. A nurses station coordinated by Véronique Chappuis will be organised in the PWA lounge, with doctors on call.

What happens in case of a medical emergency?

We will take care of medical emergencies at the clinic (the clinic will be fully equipped, complete with an emergency trolley). Any decision as to a transfer to the hospital will be made on site.

If a Conference participant suddenly begins experiencing HIV-related health complications during the Conference and needs to be admitted to hospital, what will be the treatment options and the follow-up?

The patient will be admitted to Emergency at the HCUG and will be accompanied by a member of the HIV Consultation team to act as a link. Proper care will then be ensured by the appropriate department. A member of our team will regularly check up on the patient.

Unlike Vancouver 96, there are no general medical insurance provisions in Geneva 98 for Conference participants. What are the provisions to cover medial costs encurred by Conference participants?

We will be working from the principle that all Conference participants will not need financial guarantees to be admitted for hospital care (the Conference badge acts as a guarantee). However, any costs following admission to the hospital will be billed to the patient's private health insurance where possible. If the patient has no health insurance at all the costs will be covered by the HCUG.

What advice would you give Conference participants who will have to clear border facilities with provisions of pharmaceutical drugs (including substitution therapy) or injection material?

Before you leave, make sure your consulting physician gives you a letter in English or in French, certifying in full detail what pharmaceutical products (including substitution therapies such as methadone) or relevant material you will be carrying on your person. Persons should travel with their prescriptions in case of problems such as lost or stolen medication.

What kind of needle-exchange resources will be available during the Conference for participants needing sterile injection materials?

Sterile injection kits will be available on-site at Palexpo clinic during the Conference.

Cultural programme

A Cultural Programme will be set up during the 12th World AIDS Conference. It will attempt to bridge gaps between Conference participants, and gaps between Conference participants and the residents of the Geneva area. In the spirit of "Bridging the Gap", this programme will emphasise the promotion and creation of spaces where people can meet, and present a number of cultural responses to AIDS. In accordance with the Conference theme, priority will be given to artists from resource-poor areas.

The programme is awaiting finalisation. Here are some of its salient points:

On-site at Palexpo

A large open space will be designed to encourage participants to mingle and express emotions, feelings, or just to take a moment's rest away from the madding crowd. This space will house a quilt exhibit and an international graphics design exhibit designed for the Conference.

Performances by artists from different countries will take place in different Conference locations.

Priority will be given, according to a variety of means currently under study, to body language and real opportunities to take a break in a natural setting.

A video room will be available.

In town

Two large-scale rituals. In particular, a Quilt ceremony at the opening of the Conference, dedicated to the memory of those who died because of AIDS, and a closing ritual, which will symbolically express the will to Bridge the Gap.

Different AIDS-related artistic events (an art exhibit, a film festival)

Conference participants and the Genevan public will be able to follow World Cup soccer matches together.

Conference participants may also attend events planned before and after the Conference in the Geneva area: The Fête de la Musique ("Music Day", June 21st), the Lesbian and Gay Pride in Lausanne, the Montreux Jazz Festival, etc.

A number of friendly social venues (parties, cafés, dances) and Geneva's magnificent public parks will offer Conference participants many pleasant ways to complete their leisure schedule.

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