Fight Against HIV : Claiming about 18 Lakh Lives Annually..


December 1 World AIDS Day

About thirty years ago, the world got its first inkling of impending catastrophe when 5 young gay men in Los Angeles were struck down by the illness that became known as HIV / AIDS.

Today, the disease has a truly global impact, claiming about 18 lakh lives annually - the equivalent of wiping out the population of Washington, DC, 3 times every year.

Primarily Transmitted Through Sexual Contact.

Of course, there have been remarkable scientific breakthroughs since 1981. Scientists established that a previously unknown retrovirus was the cause of AIDS, and determined that the virus was primarily transmitted through sexual contact.



They created tests that can establish a person’s HIV status or gauge the disease’s progression. They designed antiretroviral drugs that have made it possible for HIV infection to be a survivable chronic condition.

Alongside these advances, policymakers, human-rights advocates, and people living with HIV / AIDS have fought hard to reduce stigma & discrimination. And an unprecedented amount of funds has been invested in HIV treatment and prevention.

Total resources for HIV programs in low  and middle-income countries were an incredible 50 times higher than they were just 12 years earlier.

But, despite this significant progress, the toll of HIV / AIDS remains excruciating. There are 24 lakh new infections annually and 3.4 crore people living with HIV / AIDS who require treatment to stay alive. There is a widespread misperception in the developed world that we have already won the battle against HIV / AIDS.  In reality, the crisis has merely become less visible.

Sub-Saharan Africa has 10 % of the world’s population, but is home to 70 % of those living with HIV / AIDS. Across Africa, the disease is estimated to have reduced average national growth rates by 2% to 4% points a year.
 
Researchers led by Mr.Bernhard Schwartländer, Director of evidence, strategy, and results, UNAIDS, calculated that annual spending of at least $ 2,200 Crore will be needed by 2015 to achieve universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care, and support.

UNAIDS and the Kaiser Family Foundation estimate that in 2010 donors gave $6.9 billion for HIV prevention, care, treatment, and support . As a result of the global financial crisis and donor fatigue, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, the United States, and the European Commission have all reduced their spending.

The lamentable reality is that securing $ 2200 Crore in annual funding by 2015 will be practically impossible.


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