WHO acts to slow down HIV progression

The World Health Organization (WHO) has embarked on a mission to slow down the progression of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) which affects 42 million people around the world.

Dr. Lee Jong-wook, WHO director general, said the WHO is now working closely with its partners across the globe to come up with programs that will give three million people infected with the HIV/AIDS antiretrovirals by the end of 2005.

"Three (million) by (2005) will not solve the problem of HIV/AIDS but it will mark the beginning of a solution and proof that it is possible," he said during the opening of the 54th session of WHO’s Western Pacific Regional Office in Manila last Sunday.

AIDS remains incurable but antiretrovirals are found effective in slowing down the progression of HIV into full-blown AIDS.

Lee said a comprehensive strategy for making this goal happen would be announced during the World AIDS Day in December.

"We are working with many partners, including the UNAIDS (Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS) and the Global Fund to mobilize resources to put these plans into action. It will require the commitment of civil society, United Nations agencies and the private sector. Above all, it will require the commitment of each one of us here today," he said.

UNAIDS records show that for almost 20 years since HIV/AIDS cases surfaced, 42 million people worldwide have fallen ill to the disease. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 6.6 million cases.

The death toll is placed at 23 million. Some 14 million children have been orphaned by AIDS.

Dr. Shigeru Omi, WHO director for the Western Pacific region, said HIV/AIDS is still a major public health concern in the region.

"We now have a much clearer idea of the pattern of the epidemic because of recent improvements in surveillance system and data analysis. Over the past four years, we have continued to target high-risk groups such as sex workers with considerable success," he said.

Omi cited, for instance, Cambodia where the "100 percent condom use" strategy has been put in place since 1998.

In five Cambodian provinces implementing the strategy, consistent condom use by all types of sex workers has increased from 51 percent in 1998 to 90 percent today, and this resulted in the halving of the HIV prevalence rate among direct sex workers from 48 percent to 23 percent.

"This is a remarkable achievement for a country with limited resources. Injecting drugs remains a major route for transmission of the virus in some countries," Omi said.