The world community joins efforts to cope with AIDS

In a report released prior to the Conference, the UN, for the first time, declared real progress against the HIV/AIDS pandemic, AIDS-related deaths last year were juts half of the peak of 1.9 million in 2005.

Not only are new HIV infections and deaths declining, but more people than ever are getting life-saving treatment.  Last year, 19.5 million of the 36.7 million people living with HIV had access to treatment marking the first time that more than half of infected people were receiving anti-retroviral treatment, which subdues the AIDS virus but does not kill it.

The possibility of HIV hiding in certain cells and appearing again following treatment poses a great challenge to scientists. Infected people use ARV therapy only to reduce the level of HIV. International AIDS Society President Linda-Gail Bekker on Tuesday called for the stimulation of scientific advances to control and prevent AIDS. She said there are millions of infected people, mostly in West and Central Africa, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia, who have not yet been diagnosed and are not receiving treatment. Ms. Bekker expressed concern over budget cuts for AIDS research and treatment programs in many countries. US President Donald Trump has proposed to cut the budget for HIV/AIDS in his 2018 budget plan which would cripple HIV/AIDS prevention drives two thirds of whose funding comes from the US. Last year, the US contributed 5 billion USD to these programs. Trump’s budget plan would cut total US medical aid contributions to 1 billion USD. If  it is approved, 830,000 HIV patients in Africa will be affected. The budget cut will also affect global AIDS, TB, and malaria control programs.

The HIV/AIDS pandemic has killed 35 million people since 1980. More efforts and resources are needed to achieve the target of having 90% of HIV/AIDS infected people aware of their status and 90% of those receiving treatment and 90% of those being helped by the treatment.