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Over Half of PLWHA Have No Access to Treatment, Posing Big Challenge for Achieving Global HIV/AIDS Response Goal
The 21st International AIDS Conference opened in Durban, South Africa. The conference returns to Durban after 16 years. At around 12.30am on July 18, a group of about 5,000 got together at the gate of Durban City Hall, held cardboards with such banners as "END AIDS" and "KEEP THE PROMISE", and urged United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to take measures for protecting the rights of PLWHA. Members of this group come from different countries and speak different languages, but get together for the same target.
July 18 is the Nelson Mandela International Day in South Africa. In November 2009, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution and selected July 18 of each year as the Nelson Mandela International Day to commemorate the contribution made by South Africa's Former President Nelson Mandela to racial equality and freedom. On this day after seven years, the 21st International AIDS Conference was held in Durban under the theme of "Access equity rights now", which fits with the visions of Nelson Mandela.
At the official opening press conference on July 18, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned of an immediate need for more action to avoid backsliding on progress made to date. Despite significant progress, more than half of those living with HIV still do not have access to treatment. "As a global community, we must move quickly and decisively towards achieving the targets that will help us finally bring this epidemic to an end."
"To truly succeed in all places and for all people, we must ensure that every action we take is grounded in science, respects human rights, and is fully funded for success. If we don’t make the right strategic choices, we risk reversing hard-won gains. Delay is tantamount to defeat," says Chris Beyrer, President of the International AIDS Society
Goals mentioned by Chris Beyrer can be summarized as "90–90–90 Targets" by 2020 - i.e. 90% of HIV-infected persons knowing their HIV status via tests, 90% of confirmed HIV-infected persons receiving ART and 90% of HIV-infected persons on ART with successful viral inhibition.
At the 20th International AIDS Conference in 2014, UNAIDS proposed the above three targets. Two years later, the 21st International AIDS Conference focused on the "90–90–90 Targets" again. However, the progress in HIV/AIDS response is unsatisfactory in many countries, particularly in some developing countries.
According to data from UNAIDS, the risk of HIV infection is still very high among high risk populations. Compared with the general population, the risk of HIV infection is 49 times among transgender people, 24 times among MSM and IDUs, 10 times among sex workers and 5 times among prisoners.
"If the needs of high risk populations in HIV/AIDS response cannot be met and they are left behind, it is impossible for us to end HIV/AIDS globally," says Chris Beyrer.
Director Wu Zunyou of NCAIDS reported that the "90–90–90 Targets" have been included in national strategies in China, but the current challenge is excessive price of anti-AIDS drugs, influencing the patient willingness and sustainability of HIV/AIDS treatment. (Source: Liu Jiaying, special correspondent of caixin.com in Durban, July 22, 2016)
July 18 is the Nelson Mandela International Day in South Africa. In November 2009, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution and selected July 18 of each year as the Nelson Mandela International Day to commemorate the contribution made by South Africa's Former President Nelson Mandela to racial equality and freedom. On this day after seven years, the 21st International AIDS Conference was held in Durban under the theme of "Access equity rights now", which fits with the visions of Nelson Mandela.
At the official opening press conference on July 18, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned of an immediate need for more action to avoid backsliding on progress made to date. Despite significant progress, more than half of those living with HIV still do not have access to treatment. "As a global community, we must move quickly and decisively towards achieving the targets that will help us finally bring this epidemic to an end."
"To truly succeed in all places and for all people, we must ensure that every action we take is grounded in science, respects human rights, and is fully funded for success. If we don’t make the right strategic choices, we risk reversing hard-won gains. Delay is tantamount to defeat," says Chris Beyrer, President of the International AIDS Society
Goals mentioned by Chris Beyrer can be summarized as "90–90–90 Targets" by 2020 - i.e. 90% of HIV-infected persons knowing their HIV status via tests, 90% of confirmed HIV-infected persons receiving ART and 90% of HIV-infected persons on ART with successful viral inhibition.
At the 20th International AIDS Conference in 2014, UNAIDS proposed the above three targets. Two years later, the 21st International AIDS Conference focused on the "90–90–90 Targets" again. However, the progress in HIV/AIDS response is unsatisfactory in many countries, particularly in some developing countries.
According to data from UNAIDS, the risk of HIV infection is still very high among high risk populations. Compared with the general population, the risk of HIV infection is 49 times among transgender people, 24 times among MSM and IDUs, 10 times among sex workers and 5 times among prisoners.
"If the needs of high risk populations in HIV/AIDS response cannot be met and they are left behind, it is impossible for us to end HIV/AIDS globally," says Chris Beyrer.
Director Wu Zunyou of NCAIDS reported that the "90–90–90 Targets" have been included in national strategies in China, but the current challenge is excessive price of anti-AIDS drugs, influencing the patient willingness and sustainability of HIV/AIDS treatment. (Source: Liu Jiaying, special correspondent of caixin.com in Durban, July 22, 2016)