33.2 M people suffer from AIDS

The 20th World AIDS Day is celebrated across the globe today, with some 33.2 million people infected with the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome virus.

“Today, millions of people around the globe are marking the 20th World AIDS Day. For some, this may be the only day in the year they think about AIDS. For many, however, AIDS is part of daily life,” said Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) executive director Dr. Peter Piot.

Piot noted that since the first World AIDS Day was held in 1988, “AIDS has become one of the defining issues of our time.” He claimed that the AIDS epidemic has “globalized and feminized” over the years.

“In 1988, most recorded cases of HIV were still in the United States, and most were among men. Today, HIV is present in every country in the world, and half of those living with HIV are women,” he said.

A UNAIDS report, entitled “2007 AIDS Epidemic Update” showed that of the 33.2 million people living with HIV this year, 15.4 million are women and 2.5 million are aged below 15 years old.

For 2007, some 2.5 million people acquired the AIDS virus while 2.1 million succumbed to the disease.

“The response has globalized also. Last year, UN member states committed to scale up towards universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. More than 2.5 million people in developing countries are now receiving life-lengthening antiretroviral drugs (ARV). HIV infections in many countries is declining,” Piot said.

ARV is the drug used to slow down the progression of HIV into full-flown AIDS.

Piot said the challenge now is to keep AIDS on top of the governments’ agenda and to speed up anti-AIDS efforts at the national and local levels.

This is because there is a “serious shortfall” in AIDS resources and stigma on AIDS continues to prevail.

As a result of this, two-thirds of those who need ARV are unable to get it. Less than one in ten people at risk of HIV infection have the means to protect themselves.

“Sustaining leadership and accelerating action on AIDS isn’t something just for politicians. It involves religious leaders, community, youth and council leaders, chief executives and trade union leaders,” Piot said.

Piot added that efforts should also involve those with HIV, their families and friends.