Still too few receiving care
The following article, titled Can We Really End Aids?, has been reproduced from the 21st International Aids Conference website.
It was written by Owen Ryan, the executive director of the International Aids Society.
“THINK back 15 years ago, just after the turn of the millennium. Picture yourself walking down the street, turning to a stranger and asking him or her what was the biggest health problem in the world. “The likely answer: Aids. “In 2014, Aids claimed 1.2 million lives. Worryingly, HIV-related deaths among adolescents have tripled since 2000 – an alarming increase.
“While new HIV infections are falling globally, they are on the rise in many countries – mostly in the developing world and among key populations, such as men who have sex with men, transgender people, sex workers, and people who inject drugs.
“Today, many people are not benefiting from the increased access to comprehensive HIV prevention, care and treatment services; young girls and women are not supported to make their own health decisions; men and boys are not accessing HIV treatments as readily as they should; and transgender people are prejudiced.
“In this way, the global HIV epidemic is a misnomer. Some people in historic places are experiencing historic success – they can access lifesaving HIV prevention and treatment options.
“In many other places, the political commitment to HIV is weak, health systems are deficient, and human rights are persistently violated.
“There has been a great deal of discussion in policy circles about having the tools to end Aids.
“We’ve set a deadline, created targets and updated global treatments.
“At the global level, our discourse is infused with cautious optimism and determination.
“But in far too many places in our world, the end of Aids remains an illusion.
“The reality is that our global pronouncements are often slow to be taken up in the real world.
“And in the fight against Aids, delay is tantamount to defeat.
“We must be sure our efforts succeed in all places for all people.
“Unless this is done, Aids will not be over.”