New research shows rise in number of HIV infections in Russia, Al Jazeera reports

Jan 7 2013

"New research has revealed an alarming spike in the number of HIV infections in Russia, with 200 people being diagnosed with the condition every day," Al Jazeera reports. "Vadim Pokrovsky, the head of Russia's AIDS research center, has said that instead of recognizing a crisis -- the government is indifferent to the problem," the news service writes, adding, "'If we had 200 cases of diarrhea at a children's pioneer camp, the country's head sanitation doctor would fly out immediately to save them,' Pokrovsky said."

"While the government provides free medicine, agencies like the U.N. believe fewer than half of people eligible for [HIV] treatment are getting it," Al Jazeera's Robin Forestier-Walker reports in an accompanying video, noting, "Some choose not to take medication, others lack access or support." Over 40 percent of new infections are women, according to Forestier-Walker, who adds, "What it shows is that far from being confined to certain groups, HIV will continue to spread with this infection rate into the general population" (1/3).