HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in sub-Saharan Africa

Unprecedented investments in the fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria are leading to improvements in health across sub-Saharan Africa.

FAST FACTS

• The number of Africans with access to life-saving HIV/AIDS medication has increased dramatically in recent years - there are currently an estimated 3.2 million Africans on anitretroviral treatment, up from 50,000 in 2002.
• Senegal and Rwanda are providing life-saving HIV/AIDS medication to over 50% of the population that needs the treatment, while Botswana and Namibia are reaching upwards of 75% of those in need.
• The Global Fund has distributed 88 million bed nets to protect families from malaria.
• In Eastern and Southern Africa, 43% of HIV-positive pregnant women received medication to prevent transmitting the HIV virus to their babies in 2007, up from only 11% in 2004.
• Botswana’s government has prioritized the prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV (PMTCT). As a result, more than 90% of HIV-positive pregnant women received medication that assists in preventing mother to child transmission in 2007, from approximately 60% in 2005.
• With funding from the Global Fund, 2,000 traditional healers in Lesotho have been trained to identify symptoms of tuberculosis and refer patients to local clinics to receive treatment.
• Between 1995 and 2008, nearly 32 million cases of TB were treated with the Directly Observed Therapy (DOTS) approach. The global average cure rate with DOTS was 85% in 2006.

Rwanda: Increase in treatment sites means more people on antiretrovirals

In 2003 in Rwanda, only 1% of the population in need was receiving life-saving HIV/AIDS medication. By 2007 the coverage rate was almost 71% of those in need. The number of women receiving medication to prevent mother-to-child transmission was 35% in 2005, and increased to 60% in 2007 thanks to an increase in treatment sites-from only 11 in 2001 to 285 in 2007.

Ethiopia: Bed nets reduce child deaths from malaria

In Ethiopia, the number of childhood malaria cases reported at clinics fell by 60% and the death rate was halved within two years - from 2005 to 2007. This was the result of a massive bed net distribution undertaken by the Ethiopian government with support from programs like the Global Fund, the World Bank and the U.S. President's Malaria Initiative (PMI). In 2004, less than 5% of households in Ethiopia owned a bed net to protect against malaria. The government set an ambitious target to ensure that every household in a malaria-risk area owned two long-lasting, insecticide treated nets by 2008, which required distributing a total of 20 million nets. By January 2008, Ethiopia had exceeded this target by delivering approximately 20.5 million nets.

Malawi: ARV rollout in the workplace leads to decline in mortality

The number of people on life-saving antiretroviral medication in Malawi increased from 500 in 2002 to more than 100,000 by 2007. The Malawi Business Coalition Against HIV/AIDS (MBCA) channels resources to businesses, enabling them to provide their employees, their employees' dependents, and surrounding communities with treatment and prevention services. These efforts have led to a 44% decline in mortality in targeted workplaces such as ESCOM (Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi), a utility company with one of Malawi's largest employee bases. The MBCA offers these services to over 65 companies and operates 28 clinics throughout Malawi.

The Gambia: Malaria eradication could be next

Between 2003 and 2007, different parts of The Gambia saw drops in the number of malaria cases between a 50 and 82 percent. The Gambia also experienced a 100% fall in malaria-related deaths in 2007 - meaning that no deaths from malaria were reported that year. This success is due to the increased distribution of insecticide treated bed nets, indoor spraying programs, and the use of new drugs to treat malaria cases.

Zambia: Increased malaria prevention, decreased prevalence

Thanks to a strong National Malaria Strategic Plan and increased partnerships and financing, Zambia has achieved impressive results in the area of malaria control. Between 2006 and 2008, the use of insecticide treated bed nets by children under five and by pregnant women increased by more than 65%. Also, the number of children under five with malaria has decreased, as have the number of cases of severe anemia. Almost two-thirds of the country is covered by either an insecticide-treated bed net or recent indoor residual spraying.

Rwanda: Mobile phones overcome infrastructure challenges

Across Africa, innovative technology is being harnessed by the health community to overcome challenges to service delivery and data collection. In Rwanda, funding from the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) enabled the implementation of TRACnet, a web-based system that collects and disseminates ART program reporting, drug shortages and CD-4 tests. Over 85% of TRACnet users input data via mobile phone. TRACnet has been deployed in 50 out of 53 health facilities offering antiretroviral treatment in Rwanda, accounting for 95% of all patients on treatment.