The world has halted and reversed the spread of HIV. Since the year 2000, new infections have fallen by 35 percent and AIDS-related deaths by 24 percent. Close to 16 million people are now receiving antiretroviral treatment.
In WHO South-East Asia Region, new infections declined by 32 percent between 2000 and 2014. Almost 1.3 million people are on antiretroviral treatment (ART).
Citing the data, Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, regional director (RD) of World Health Organization (WHO) for South-East Asia, said, “However, the gaps remain. More than half of the people with HIV are unaware of their status. Those who test, do so late when they have symptoms and their immune systems are already compromised.
“Only 36 percent of the people living with HIV in the Region are on treatment; and fewer than 30 percent of people with HIV are able to get to the last point when HIV virus multiplication in their body is suppressed which is essential to prevent further transmission.”
The WHO RD made the statement on the eve of World Aids Day. In her statement, the WHO official emphasized on bold actions, saying it will be required to achieve the target for ending AIDS by 2030, with the health sector playing a central role. Countries need to prioritize HIV interventions to get the highest impact.
The statement said: “This includes using newer approaches for testing like community-based HIV testing, ensuring that all HIV positive people are started on treatment and those identified negative, especially who are at risk have access to HIV prevention and retesting services.
“Efforts over the next five years will decide whether we will end AIDS by 2030 or face resurgence. In over four decades of the epidemic, science, social mobilization, political commitment and coordinated response among key stakeholders have made it possible to end AIDS. History shall not be kind to us if we become complacent now.
“Ending AIDS will require investments, but these will be worthwhile. Countries in the Region are leading the way in funding HIV response through domestic budgets, but more remains to be done.
“We need to ensure that HIV response is firmly positioned in the development and health agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals. We need to ensure that community responses are not only sustained, but further scaled up and fully funded. Stigma, discrimination and punitive laws still hamper access to key services for those most in need.
“We need to reaffirm and renew our resolve to work towards realizing our goal of ending AIDS in the WHO South-East Asia Region by 2030.”
