Guyana lauded for reduction of mother-to-child HIV infection

– UNAIDS report shows reduction of HIV epidemic

New figures released on the HIV/AIDS epidemic indicate a global breakthrough in the reduction of new infections, an increase in the number of persons who have access to treatment, and a rise in the use of preventative measures.

A recent report released by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the joint United Nations Programme on HIV/ AIDS (UNAIDS) revealed that, of the 144 low and middle income countries, fifteen, including Guyana, Botswana and South Africa, were able to provide the services needed to prevent mother-to-child transmission to more than 80 per cent of HIV-positive pregnant women.

UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibe pointed out that the most exciting part of this year’s report is that the organization has managed to break the trajectory of the epidemic. “We have 56 countries that have managed to stabilise or slow down the rate of AIDS infection, which is very important. We are having fewer people infected, fewer people dying from HIV infection,” Sidibe said.

With regards to mother-to-child transmission, 370,000 children contracted HIV during delivery and breastfeeding period; down from 500,000 in 2001.

According to the report,of the estimated 15 million people living with HIV in low- and middleincome countries who need treatment today, 5.2 million have access. In 2009 alone, 1.2 million people received HIV antiretroviral therapy for the first time – a 30 per cent increase in people receiving treatment in a single year.

In 33 countries, HIV incidence showed a significant reduction by more than 25 per cent between 2001 and 2009.Among young people in 15 of the most severely affected countries, HIV prevalence has fallen by more than 25 per cent, as young people have adopted safer sexual practices, the report suggests.

The report also contains information about human rights, stigma and discrimination, and a host of other information. According to the Association of Commonwealth Pharmacists, Commonwealth countries make up over 30 per cent of the world’s population, and over 60 per cent of people with HIV reside in Commonwealth states.

Within the 54 independent states of the Commonwealth, 47 classify the practice of samesex as illegal. However, there have been advances in treatment, which means that many people diagnosed with the disease can expect a nearnormal life span, once diagnosed early and treated correctly. For many people with HIV, it is the social consequences that can have the biggest impact — dealing with prejudice, money worries, or how to tell friends and family.

The world is approaching the 30th anniversary of the presence of the epidemic this coming June. It was 30 years ago when the Center for Disease Control (CDC) first reported on what would later be called AIDS.

This year’s observance will be held under the theme: “Universal Access and Human Rights”.