Latest update April 20th, 2024 12:59 AM
Dec 03, 2013 News
“If we are going to keep our pledge of leaving no-one behind we have to make sure HIV services reach everyone in need,” UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé said in observance of World AIDS Day on Sunday.
Surveys reveal that more than two million adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 years are living with HIV, and many do not receive the care and support that they need to stay in good health and prevent transmission. In addition, millions more adolescents are at risk of infection.
The failure to support effective and acceptable HIV services for adolescents has resulted in a 50 per cent increase in reported AIDS-related deaths in this group compared with the 30 per cent decline seen in the general population from 2005 to 2012.
The updated statistics on HIV and AIDS released this week show remarkable progress in many areas; they also make clear that some are indeed being left behind.
The 2013 theme for World AIDS Day is “Getting to Zero”- meaning zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination, and zero AIDS related deaths.
The headline figures are encouraging: a 33 percent decrease in new HIV infections since 2001; a 29 percent decrease in AIDS-related deaths since 2005; a 40-fold increase in access to antiretroviral therapy between 2002 and 2012. But as UNAIDS also admits, global progress in the fight against AIDS is highly uneven. The situation varies widely between countries and regions.
Guyana has reported universal access to HIV prevention and treatment services. It is well poised to declare the elimination of mother to child transmission, many Guyanese know their HIV status, more than 81 per cent of persons living with HIV are reporting a 12-month survival and AIDS related deaths have decreased from almost 10 per cent in 2002 to less than four per cent in 2010.
Meanwhile, more than 90,000 people are currently living with HIV in the UK. Globally an estimated 33.3 million people have HIV. More than 25 million people between 1981 and 2007 have died from the virus, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.
Reports reveal that many scientific advances have been made in HIV treatment. World AIDS Day is important as it reminds the public and Government that HIV has not gone away – there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.
World AIDS Day is an opportunity for persons to learn the facts about HIV and put their knowledge into action. If they understand how HIV is transmitted, how it can be prevented, and the reality of living with HIV today – they can use this knowledge to take care of their own health and the health of others, and ensure that they treat everyone living with HIV fairly, and with respect and understanding.
Equipping adolescents
“Young people need to be better equipped to manage their HIV infection and take ownership of their health care,” says Dr Elizabeth Mason, Director of WHO Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health Department. “We have seen in Zimbabwe that by developing adolescent friendly services, it is possible to achieve good treatment outcomes among adolescents. We urge others to be inspired by these examples.”
HIV/AIDS remains one of the world’s most significant public health challenges, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
As a result of recent advances in access to antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV-positive people now live longer and healthier lives. In addition, it has been confirmed that ART prevents onward transmission of HIV.
At the end of 2012, close to 10 million people were receiving ART in low- and middle-income countries. However, almost 19 million other people who are eligible for ART under new 2013 guidelines do not have access to antiretroviral drugs.
Where is the BETTER MANAGEMENT/RENEGOTIATION OF THE OIL CONTRACTS you promised Jagdeo?
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