A HIV project in Jamaica
HIV: The first world response
Since the G8 summit in 2005 the UK government have come along way in funding treatment and raising awareness of HIV worldwide. Other countries, however, should be doing much more.
Here we look at the positive response from the UK and how other countries should be doing much more.
The HIV epidemic continues to kill people and deepen poverty on a shocking scale in the world’s poorest countries: every day, 14,000 people become infected by HIV and 8,000 die
from HIV-related diseases. Among young Africans, more than three-quarters of people who contract HIV are women. At a time when there are drugs available to control the disease it is a moral outrage that so many people are still dying.
The HIV epidemic continues to kill people and deepen poverty on a shocking scale in the world’s poorest countries: every day, 14,000 people become infected by HIV and 8,000 die
from HIV-related diseases. Among young Africans, more than three-quarters of people who contract HIV are women. At a time when there are drugs available to control the disease it is a moral outrage that so many people are still dying.
Missed target
Coverage of HIV services is still nowhere near the levels needed: the United Nations acknowledges that 2001 targets have been missed by a long way. Some of these are detailed below. They show that many people are still suffering and dying unnecessarily.
- Only 20% of young women, and 33% of young men, can correctly identify ways of preventing HIV transmission. UNGASS 2001 target: 90% by
2006. - Only 9% of HIV-positive pregnant women receive antiretroviral treatment to prevent their baby contracting HIV. UNGASS 2001 target: 80%.
- While progress has been made on treatment, only 20% cent of people who need it have access to it.
- Only 20% of drug users receive any type of HIV-prevention service.
- Condom use has increased amongst young Africans. However, global surveys showed that a condom was used in only 9% of risky sex acts in 2005.
- Only 9% of men who have sex with men receive any type of HIV-prevention service.
- Support services reach less than ten per cent of orphans and children made vulnerable by HIV.
- Co-trimoxazole, a drug that costs 3US cents a day and is used to prevent life-threatening HIV-related infections, is not available to four million children who would benefit from it.
The promise
‘HIV and AIDS is having a devastating impact on our world. Millions of lives our hopes of tackling poverty around the globe. There is no time to lose,
complacency.’ Tony Blair, 2004.
complacency.’ Tony Blair, 2004.
The money
The UK is committed to spending US$2.64 billion on HIV over 2005 to 2008 – an average of US$880 million a year – and has indicated it will continue spending at this level.
The verdict
The UK has about 5% of global wealth. It is proposing to contribute 6% of the amount UNAIDS says is needed for HIV in 2006 and about 5% in 2007. By this rough measure, the UK currently appears to be doing its share.
Everyone must pull their weight
The report recommended the following:
- Donors must ensure the fight against HIV is funded in full without cutting spending on other areas of poverty reduction.
- The UK government must urge other G7 donors to contribute their global share of HIV funding – particularly Japan, Italy, Germany and France, who are lagging furthest behind.
- As need increases, the UK government must continue to contribute its full share.
- Donors must ensure the Global Fund achieves full funding at the replenishment conference in summer 2006.
- The World Bank must provide all HIV funding in the form of grants rather than loans.
- The European Commission must increase spending on HIV.
- The UK and other donors must support the air ticket levy as a way of funding the Global Fund.
So what now?
As you can see, to their credit the UK government are doing their bit when it comes to funding. However, globally, education targets are not being reached. We're calling on Hilary Benn, the international development secretary, to support and promote global HIV education amongst the international community and in the UK.
Act now by filling out our online action form.
Act now by filling out our online action form.
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