The Aids epidemic could be over by 2030 if the rate of global progress over the past 15 years continues at the same pace, the World Health Organisation has said.
In its report, Global Health Sector Response to HIV 2000-2015, WHO says that by 2014, the number of HIV deaths fell by 42%, from a peak of more than two million in 2004 to an estimated 1.2 million.
The report was released in advance of World Aids Day today.
And since 2000, an estimated 7.8 million people have been saved and fewer people are acquiring HIV, which make the goal of ending the epidemic by 2030 realistic.
However, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO regional director for Africa, said that more needs to be done to provide the 60% of people with HIV across the world who have not yet enrolled on antiretroviral treatment and also to tackle the disproportionate risk that women and young girls face.
“In the last 15 years, new HIV infections have reduced by 41% in the African region, more than in any region in the world,” she said.
“But the number of people acquiring HIV infection is still too high and young women and adolescent girls continue to be disproportionately at risk.”
Clinical trials have found that early use of antiretroviral treatment keeps people with HIV healthier and also reduces the risk that they will transmit the virus to partners.
At International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA), which is taking place in Zimbabwe until 4 December, 2015, WHO is presenting a set of recommendations that include using innovative tests to help more people learn they are HIV positive; moving testing and treatment services closer to where people live; starting treatment faster among people who are at advanced stages of HIV infection when they are diagnosed; and reducing the frequency of clinic visits recommended for people who are stable on ART.
Achieving the targets of reducing new infections from the two million per year to less than 500,000 by 2020 and 200,000 by 2030 will require bold action among health organisations across the globe.
Dr Winnie Mpanju-Shumbusho, WHO assistant director General for HIV/Aids, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases, said more needs to be done to reach those who do not know they are infected.
“Despite the significant progress, half the people living with HIV globally do not know they have acquired the virus and do not receive treatment that can save their lives and avoid infecting others,” she said.
“We must now step up our efforts to reach the missing half with testing and treatment and the prevention of new infections, or we will miss the unique opportunity to end the AIDS epidemic within a generation.”
• Health commissioners in South Lincolnshire are marking World Aids Day today (1 December, 2015) by calling on everyone to learn the facts about HIV and to help break down stigmas and negative attitudes towards sufferers of the disease.
Dr Chit Saing, consultant in Sexual Health and HIV Medicine at the Integrated Sexual Health Department of Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust said: “Every health care professional and community worker needs to take every opportunity including special events like ‘World AIDS Day’ to promote HIV testing to reach wider populations.”
Leave a Reply