COSTA RICA: National HIV/AIDS accounts with an emphasis on gender.An instrument of economic evaluation and an axis of social mobilization
Estimation Year
2006
Intended Policy Goals
In Costa Rica during the years 2004, 2005 and 2006 a National Health Accounts for HIV/AIDS was designed with a focus on gender.
The NHA has been a tool which has made the evaluation the national and international objectives and goals possible. It has also presented health authorities with the required evidence they need for decision-making.
Actual Policy Use
The National Health Accounts in HIV/AIDS served as an impetus for social mobilization since it was one of the first activities that was able to unite NGO´s that work in HIV/AIDS; many of them made-up of people with HIV/AIDS or other vulnerable groups. In a setting of respect and support, they were educated in those aspects needed to read the NHA and to use the information in the development of relevant programs, plans and projects.
Since then, the NGO sector has been more involved in government decision-making mechanisms, and not only in their number, but also in the quality of their participation. This has resulted in an increase in the visibility of the HIV/AIDS problem in Costa Rica and helped to unit NGO's response to it.
Source
Ministry of Health of Costa Rica and Costa Rican Association of Public Health.
