The Role of Higher Learning Institutions in Fighting HIV/Aids: the Case of Addis Ababa University

Abstract

In 2003, it was estimated that about 40 million people were living with HIV/AIDS globally and out of this about 2.2 million were living in Ethiopia. Even though there is no explicit research on the magnitude of the impacts of HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia, there are various indicators among which the death of productive and reproductive age group (15-49) alone can illustrate. The provision of social services will be the first to be crippled as the epidemic advances. In the generalized prevalence rate of the epidemic, the teaching-learning process in institutions of higher learning would not be exceptional from the impact of the epidemic. Therefore, one can expect that these Institutions are working both internally (in their respective community - Instructors, administrative staff and students) and externally (in the general population) to curb the disease. To this end, a study was made to collect secondary and primary data from literature review, discussions with relevant authorities and key informants. The result showed that except limited works in the area of awareness creation that has been done with the technical and financial assistance of non-governmental organizations, the University has not discharged its responsibility to stop the disease. It is therefore important to intervene as soon as possible with commitment in order to keep up the teaching-learning process healthy and maintain its quality. It is recommended that there is a need for an urgent redefinition of the mission of the University, establishing an office that is responsible for mainstreaming HIV/AIDS activities, revisiting the health protocol of the clinic, designing comprehensive care and support program and establishing partnership with relevant organizations to enable the University discharge its social responsibility.