A United Nations report estimates that if 23 billion euros are not invested in the fight against HIV, the eradication goals by 2030 will not be met.
The epidemic has already claimed more than 34 million victims worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Despite advances in antiretroviral treatment, more than a million people still died of AIDS in 2014. The United Nations (UN) has set itself the goal of eradicating the virus by 2030. But for that , an investment of 26.2 billion dollars (approximately 23 billion euros) over four years would be necessary, according to their report.
“Beyond the results obtained, the fight against AIDS has given us the motivation and the concrete means necessary to end the epidemic by 2030.” declared Ban Ki Moon, UN Secretary General, in his report. “But if we accept the status quo and stop there, the epidemic will start again in a number of low- and middle-income countries. The considerable investments that we have made and the greatest movement that humanity has known to defend the right to health will have been in vain. “
22 million people living with HIV without treatment
The results are encouraging. Since the peak of the epidemic in 2004, virus-related deaths have declined by 42% globally, and the life expectancy of those infected has increased dramatically, to approach that of healthy people in countries with high incomes.
In lower-income countries, care has improved dramatically, but the UN estimates that 22 million people living with HIV still do not have access to treatment, and half of those carrying the virus do not know their status serological.
Decreased vigilance
In addition, pharmaceutical advances related to HIV research have pushed back prevention intentions. While mortality has fallen by 42% since 2004, the number of infections has dropped by only 8% globally between 2010 and 2014. In Eastern Europe, Central Asia, North Africa, In the Pacific and the Middle East, it has even increased, sometimes in worrying proportions (30%).
In addition to the call for investment, the report also highlights the need to repeal punitive laws as well as repressive policies that penalize same-sex sexual relations, drug users and sex workers, as these hinder access to services.
The objectives set out in this report are clear: by 2020, the number of new infections and deaths linked to HIV must drop below 500,000. In terms of treatment, the UN wants to reach “90-90-90” : 90% of HIV-positive people should be informed that they are sick, 90% of them should be put on treatment, and 90% of patients put on treatment should have an undetectable viral load.
According to the latest WHO figures, 37 million people are living with HIV worldwide, including 26 million in Sub-Saharan Africa. Each year, new infections are estimated to affect around two million people.
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