Dr Joseph Essombo – coordinator, Centres for Disease Control Project Retroci, Abidjan: interviewed by David Clark, 4 June 2004.
Length of interview ( West Africa group): 40 minutes.

Joseph Essombo, a physician interested in HIV/AIDS and public health, describes the dual role played by Centres for Disease Control (CDC) in Cote d’Ivoire with regards to HIV/AIDS. Technical support is provided to the Ministry of Health to establish a strategy to combat the epidemic. Secondly, funds from the President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) are channelled through CDC to several government departments involved in the prevention and treatment of AIDS. He suggests that palliative care is only now being considered as a way to tackle the AIDS problem. Although health professionals in Cote d’Ivoire are familiar with the use of morphine for cancer and neurological pain there has yet to be a coordinated and structured plan to incorporate managed pain control into the health system. He reflects on the value of the inaugural African Palliative Care Association conference as an opportunity to learn from palliative care practitioners and organizations all over the continent. This gives him the confidence to advocate for palliative care development in Cote d’Ivoire. He prioritises supporting and advising the Ministry of Health in order to implement palliative care not only for those with AIDS, but for all patients requiring pain management.

Prof Beugre Kouassi – n eurologist, University of Abidjan-Cocody/Ministry of Health: interviewed by David Clark, 4 June 2004.
Length of interview (Wet Africa group): 40 minutes.

Beugre Kouassi, a neurologist, has a particular interest in the neurological manifestations of AIDS. He informs that 10% of the population of Cote d’Ivoire is HIV positive. For several years his government has attempted to mobilize resources to combat the effects of the epidemic. He identifies a gap in the holistic care and treatment of such patients. He highlights the value of palliative care as providing more than merely symptom control and pain management. While opioids are available in the main cities, pain relieving drugs are harder to source in rural parts of the country and consequently accessibility is compromised. He shares his vision for palliative care being integrated into a complete health care package for all people living with AIDS, within 3 years. This will require training health professionals and community organisations in palliative care, and the lobbying of government to ensure that structures are in place to provide sustainable and effective palliative care at all levels throughout the country.