UNICEF reports some success in the fight against HIV/AIDS
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UNICEF announced yesterday that some progress is being made in preventing and treating HIV/AIDS in children. According to UNICEF’s “Children and AIDS: Second Stocktaking Report”, significant improvements have been made in reducing rates of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and increasing the number of children receiving life-saving antiretroviral drugs (ARVs). In 2006, 350,000 HIV-positive pregnant women in low- and middle-income countries received drugs to prevent mother-to-child transmission, a 60% increase from 2005. Also in 2006, more than 125,000 HIV-positive children were receiving AIDS treatment, up 70% from the year before.
In particular, steady progress has been made in eastern and southern Africa. Two years ago, only 11% of HIV-positive pregnant women in the region were receiving drugs to prevent transmission of the virus to their babies. That number rose to 31% by 2006. The number of children receiving ARVs also rose dramatically, from 70,000 to 127,000 over the same period.
Despite this progress, the world is still far from reaching UNICEF’s target of 80% treatment coverage by 2010. “Poor geographical service reach, aggravated by weak health systems, and the fear, stigma and denial that discourage many women from being tested for HIV are significant barriers to wider coverage,” the report said.
- Jessica Warren
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April 4, 2008 at 6:24 pm
This hopeful news that our efforts are beginning to make a positive impact in the lives of the world’s poorest people which are published in the UNICEF report should inspire all of us to continue our efforts.
As ONE person whose life has been personally impacted by the AIDS and global health crises in Africa, my heart smiled as I read your post, Jessica. Knowing that our efforts are saving the lives and futures of MILLIONS of people, especially women and their children, throughout Africa and elsewhere in the world gives me the BEST feeling that I could have on a day that we set aside to honor the memory of a man of true peace with justice, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
ALWAYS ONE in the Spirit, debbie
http://www.mpwn-uganda.org
April 4, 2008 at 8:25 pm
I would like to add something about some forgotten people living outside of the scope of most all support efforts (private and governmental). A Guam-based AIDS Service Organization (GUAHAN Project, http://www.guahanproject.org/index.php) with very limited funds provides HIV prevention and care services to impoverished people who live in the U.S. affiliated Pacific region–American Samoa, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam–which suffers enormous health disparities due in part to limited Federal assistance, and in part due to the post-colonial era per capita annual income: for example, it is only $2,900 in the Marshall Islands, and $2,300 in the Federated States of Micronesia. For comparison, the U.S. annual per capita income is $46,000. This organization and the fragile societies of incredibly unique, indigenous people it serves really need support. A small donation to the GUAHAN Project can make a huge difference in stemming the tide of HIV in these small, culturally rich enclaves that could be destroyed by HIV/AIDS.