In a disappointing new report jointly commissioned by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the UN's AIDS programme and UNICEF it was revealed that only one third of people worldwide who need life-saving HIV drugs are actually getting treated. Universal access to these medicines has been the theme of effort but it was seen that that targets would not be met. The report urges the poorer countries must “substantially ramp up” the funds for HIV/AIDS.
It is estimated 5.25 million people in developing counties are receiving vital antiretroviral drugs, to slow down the virus that causes AIDS. This is 1.2 million more than the past year but experts say 14.6 million people in total need treatment. The report found that just over half of pregnant women who tested positive for HIV were assessed for drug treatment - up from 34% the previous year. The rise marks a 30 percent increase over a year earlier and a 13-fold increase in six years, but another 10 million people approximately did not have such treatment in those countries. Only eight middle to low income nations -- including Cambodia, Cuba and Rwanda -- had achieved the treatment target by the end of 2009 the report says.
According to director of the WHO's HIV/AIDS department, Dr Gottfried Hirnschall, “Some countries - such as Rwanda - have shown that universal access to treatment can be achieved…Zimbabwe has increased access by 50% in the past year - despite being heavily compromised, politically and economically…And South Africa has had an incredible catch-up phase, despite being a late starter…But given those success stories, we need to sustain the momentum - and be smarter in making the case.”
At present the UNAIDS urges countries most affected by the virus should allocate between 0.5% and 3% of their government revenue to help this cause. Dr Hirnschall said, “Most of the countries that need to do this aren't yet reaching the 0.5% mark…They have to chip in their own resources and look seriously into increasing their domestic spending, to better complement external funding.”
The report says, “Millions of people are alive today as a result of investments in HIV over the past few years…Yet this evidence becomes available at a time when the global economic crisis has put the sustainability of many HIV programmes at risk…After years of considerable increases in international assistance, funding remained essentially flat over the current period.” Speaking of the developed countries Dr Hirnschall said, “There have been promising signals from some countries, who've already made pledges… It's clear things won't be easy though. We have to be strategic in explaining what's needed, and how investment can help other health and development outcomes.”
Wednesday's report urged more political pledges and funding, as agency officials set their sights on universal access in 2015.
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