It is a blow to research against AIDS. Among the passengers of flight MH-17 which crashed in Ukraine were several big names in the fight against HIV.
The AIDS research community is still in shock. The crash of Malaysia Airlines flight MH-17 on July 17 at the Ukrainian border left the whole world in mourning. Among the passengers on the flight to Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) were six participants in the international AIDS conference, which will open on July 20 in Melbourne (Australia).
Tributes multiply
Researchers, doctors, activists, all specializing in the fight against AIDS have tragically disappeared. “Through our contacts with the Australian, Malaysian and Dutch authorities, we can confirm 6 disappearances,” said Professor Françoise Barré-Sinoussi, president of the International Aids Society (IAS). “It could be a little more, but not the announced numbers,” she added, referring to the 100 missing estimated by an Australian newspaper.
The shock remains nonetheless violent, and many conference participants pay tribute to their fallen colleagues. “It is a real tragedy that affects our entire community,” said Prof. Françoise Barré-Sinoussi, president of the International Aids Society (IAS), which is organizing the conference. But she called for continuing the fight against HIV: “We must continue our fight, and dedicate this conference to them,” she stressed. On Twitter, the Secretary of State for Development and La Francophonie Annick Girardin also expressed her “great sadness”, while Geneviève Fioraso, Secretary of State for Higher Education and Research, addressed the Pr Barré-Sinoussi and the families “his friendly and saddened support. “
A big name in on-board research
With the crash of flight MH-17, a big name in AIDS research is disappearing. The doctor and researcher Joseph “Joep” Lange, former president of the IAS, was indeed on board the plane which crashed in eastern Ukraine. He was a pioneer of low cost antiretrovirals. “His contribution to HIV research and his determination to ensure access to treatment for populations in Africa and Asia” have been praised by several colleagues.
The other passengers who were on their way to the conference have not been forgotten: the World Health Organization has announced the disappearance of one of its spokespersons, Glenn thomas. Other big names in the fight against HIV were also on the plane: Kuijer’s pim, from STOPAIDSNOW, Lucie van Mens, director of AIDS Action Europe, and her colleague Maria Adriana from Schutter, and Jacqueline van Tongeren, who was traveling on behalf of the Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development.
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