A Reality for The Coming Months

Despite the gravity of the issue, HIV and AIDS remains very much in the shadows in terms of an effective global response. Since the virus was formally identified in the 1980s we have witnessed the deaths of over 25 million people across the globe.

Here are a few stark realities of what 2011 holds*:

• Around 2 million people will die this year from HIV and AIDS.
  
  
• There will be an estimated 2.6 million adults and children newly infected with HIV. Of this, an estimated 1200 children will become newly infected each day.
  
  
• More than 2 million children will already be living with HIV and AIDS. Most of the children live in sub-Saharan Africa and were infected by their HIV-positive mothers during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding. Although mother-to-child-transmission is avoidable, access to preventive interventions is still low in most developing countries.
  
  
• Just over 5 million HIV-positive people have access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) in low- and middle-income countries, however, global coverage of this treatment will remain low. There are over 33 million sufferers worldwide, 14,600,00 of whom (in addition to the 5 million) are in need of ART. ART is not a cure – there is currently no cure – but it suppresses the HIV virus.
  
  *Statistics taken from the World Health Organisation and UNAIDS
  

It is clear to see from the above that more commitment, collaboration, and effort are needed on the part of national governments, development agencies, faith leaders and grassroots activists. One body cannot bring everything to the table but everyone can contribute something.


 
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