Significant progress noted in access to AIDS treatment

MANILA, Philippines – “Significant progress” on the universal access target for the treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) has been noted since the end of 2007.

The International AIDS Society (IAS) reported that by the end of last year, more than 30 percent or some three million people with the AIDS virus were on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in low and middle-income countries, representing 42 percent increase than that in 2006.

“Encouraging progress was also reported in preventing mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV, with 34 percent of HIV-positive pregnant women receiving ART for PMTCT at the end of 2007, compared to 14 percent only two years before,” the IAS said.

The IAS, a non-profit organization established in 1998, is the world’s leading independent association of over10,000 members from 172 countries.

It serves at the custodian of International AIDS Conferences, the biggest gathering for HIV/AIDS held every two years. The 17th conference will be held this year in Mexico City, Mexico.

IAS commended civil society, government and United Nation agencies for the significant developments in the global fight against HIV/AIDS.

But the group said that although the trend is encouraging, “they (agencies) must be balanced against the reality that more than two-thirds of people in need of ART are not yet on treatment.”

Last year, the number of new HIV cases was two-and-a-half times higher than the number of people getting ART.

ART provides drugs that slow down the replication of HIV in the body, halting or delaying virus’ progression to AIDS.

IAS president Dr. Pedro Cahn warned that while progress has been substantial over the last few years, the international community must work harder to achieve the universal targets in treatment access against HIV/AIDS.

“While we are encouraged by the high level of government representation at the recent UN meeting on AIDS – and the fact that 147 member states submitted progress reports on their 2001 and 2006 commitments – most countries are far off target to meet universal access goals by 2010 or Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 6 by 2015.  Their commitment has yet to fully translate into action on the frontlines of this epidemic,” Cahn said.

In 2005, leaders of the G8 countries agreed to work with international bodies to develop and implement a package for HIV prevention, treatment and care with the goal of providing universal access to treatment to all those who need it by 2010.

The MDG-6 aims to halt and check AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis epidemics by 2015.

The IAS has also underscored the need to address gender issues that make women vulnerable to HIV in heterosexual transmission.

“We must intensify our efforts to deliver evidence-based interventions to injecting drug users, men who have sex with men, and sex workers, if we hope to achieve universal access,” Cahn said.

He claimed that 63 percent of countries involved in AIDS treatment have policies that “impede access to HIV services for their population, despite their commitment to removing such barriers.”

“This situation is unconscionable given our knowledge base after more than 25 years of experience with this epidemic,” he said.

Cahn explained that the HIV-related travel restriction being imposed in over 70 countries must be lifted.