The head of UNAIDS, a joint program for the HIV-AIDS program at the United Nations, says the HIV virus is essential to achieving its goal of eradicating the virus by 2030. Yes UN UN official told VOA that the effort in many countries is hampered by social taboos and stigma attached to AIDS and HIV.
Just a few years ago that would help all those infected with a virus that could cause AIDS and other diseases. But now, health officials hope to eradicate the deadly virus by no later than 2030.
"In 2001, in South Africa there were only 90 people who received public service care. Now there are about 4.3 million people who get treatment, "said Michel Sidibe, Executive Director of UNAIDS.
Michel Sidibe is the UN agency responsible for the global effort to eradicate HIV. He said progress has spawned inter-state solidarity and cooperation between the public and private sectors. With the increasing effectiveness of treatment and care, most of the African countries are now successfully controlling the disease. But not all.
"West Africa, Central Africa, is really still behind. If there are 61 percent of people worldwide treated, in this region only 35 percent of people are treated, "Sidibe said.
Efforts should be improved in those countries that are left behind.
"We still have little in terms of care for children and we have to really speed up action in that field," Sidibe said
Cultural taboo is another obstacle in eradicating this disease. Sidibe said most African men aged 25-39 avoided HIV testing because of the inherent stigma, and they continued to spread the virus unconsciously. He added, in such a society, there should be efforts to provide "self-test."
"A family-centered approach as well as a community-based approach will be our primary effort in the future, if we want to really reach the millions who do not know their status and continue to infect others," Sidibe said.
The upcoming UNAIDS conference will focus on improving prevention programs, especially for the most vulnerable groups such as drug addicts, sex workers and homosexuals. Sidibe said it is important to understand that HIV is not an isolated case, but related to cervical cancer, tuberculosis, maternal health and other problems.
Since the first case of HIV was reported more than 35 years ago, 78 million people have been infected with HIV, and 35 million died from AIDS-related illnesses. UNAIDS began its operations in1996 to spur on local efforts and innovations, which would eventually incorporate HIV as something that only existed in history.
Source : www.voaindonesia.com
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