A recent report released by UNAIDS has revealed some great and fascinating news regarding the battle against HIV/AIDS worldwide, in particularly in Africa. Historically, Africa has been the continent hardest hit by the HIV pandemic. Now there is evidence to suggest that more than 20 of the hardest hit countries in sub-Saharan Africa have reported reductions in HIV infection rates.
According to the report, between 2001 and 2009, these countries have recorded a 25 percent reduction in HIV infection rates. The countries include Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, Côte d’Ivoire and Ethiopia. The report asserts that in these countries, the rate of HIV infection is slowly failing or remaining steady in most cases.
Many factors are believed to have contributed to this outcome. First, there are 12 times as many people receiving HIV treatment today compared to six years ago. In addition, the number of AIDS deaths was 200,000 lower in 2008 than 2004.
The UNAIDS report also suggests that more young people are waiting longer before starting to have sexual intercourse and that use of condoms among adults has more than doubled around the world.
Although much more needs to be done and more research should be conducted, groundbreaking events in Africa are seen as being central in the battle against HIV. In South Africa for example, the ministry of health is close to offering universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. Moreover they have seen a 25 percent drop in new HIV infections among adults and young people.
Money has also helped in the fight to reduce global HIV infection rates. In 2009, an estimated $15.9 billion was made available for the global AIDS response in 2009 – $10 billion less than current estimated needs. —torrance stephens
