The central aim of the GIPA initiative was the greater involvement of PLWHA. However, in practice this has lead to problems of “involvement in what?” and how to achieve this involvement. Clearly, there is a need to move beyond GIPA as discreet initiatives towards a situation where people with HIV/AIDS are consistently involved at all levels. However, this can only be achieved if those with power acknowledge and accept that the involvement of PLWHA is a useful strategy to follow.
Many people have reported a general lack of appreciation by both governments and organizations of the value of involving PLWHA. As the following example illustrates the creation of such an understanding is time consuming, may result in wasted opportunities and produce negative experiences for those involved.