Fulfil global HIV agreement, says Christian Aid

-26/05/06

HIV targets are under scrutin


Fulfil global HIV agreement, says Christian Aid

-26/05/06

HIV targets are under scrutiny from health action groups and faith organisations as the United Nations meets to mark fifth anniversary of a global HIV agreement, says UK agency Christian Aid.

On 31 May 2006 world leaders will gather in New York on the anniversary of UNGASS (the UN General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS) ñ the worldís first global treaty dedicated to fighting HIV. The news is not good, according to Christian Aid. The worldís richest countries are far from reaching the targets set for HIV prevention, care and treatment.

Despite many political promises, the agency says, overall funding for HIV has still only reached a little over half of what is needed, while the rate at which these funds increase is now slowing.

Likewise, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has received little more than half the level of funding it requested ñ which itself is much less than the 7-10 billion US dollars a year that it was originally intended to have.

Christian Aid points out that the UK government is contributing its fair share of funding for HIV ñ but says it now needs to persuade other donors to do the same. Japan, Italy, Germany and France are the worst offenders among G7 donors.

Worldwide, only 20 per cent of young women and 33 per cent of young men can correctly identify ways of preventing HIV transmission. The UNGASS target was 90 per cent by 2006.

Just nine per cent of HIV-positive pregnant women receive antiretroviral treatment; the UNGASS target was 80 per cent. Some 20 per cent of people who need treatment have access to it.

Christian Aid, the official ecumenical relief organisation of a range of Protestant and Anglican churches in Britain, is urging all donors to fund the fight against HIV in full.

[Also on Ekklesia: Combat HIV/AIDS ñ church agency says it with flowers; Vatican stance on contraception may be modified; Cardinal calls for reduction in price of AIDS medicines; Priests resist condom use in HIV-hit Tanzania; Unprecedented NHS debt threatens Christian hospital; Churches sign AIDS code; Cameroon Catholic cardinal backs condom use; Churches face up to world AIDS pandemic]


Fulfil global HIV agreement, says Christian Aid

-26/05/06

HIV targets are under scrutiny from health action groups and faith organisations as the United Nations meets to mark fifth anniversary of a global HIV agreement, says UK agency Christian Aid.

On 31 May 2006 world leaders will gather in New York on the anniversary of UNGASS (the UN General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS) ñ the worldís first global treaty dedicated to fighting HIV. The news is not good, according to Christian Aid. The worldís richest countries are far from reaching the targets set for HIV prevention, care and treatment.

Despite many political promises, the agency says, overall funding for HIV has still only reached a little over half of what is needed, while the rate at which these funds increase is now slowing.

Likewise, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has received little more than half the level of funding it requested ñ which itself is much less than the 7-10 billion US dollars a year that it was originally intended to have.

Christian Aid points out that the UK government is contributing its fair share of funding for HIV ñ but says it now needs to persuade other donors to do the same. Japan, Italy, Germany and France are the worst offenders among G7 donors.

Worldwide, only 20 per cent of young women and 33 per cent of young men can correctly identify ways of preventing HIV transmission. The UNGASS target was 90 per cent by 2006.

Just nine per cent of HIV-positive pregnant women receive antiretroviral treatment; the UNGASS target was 80 per cent. Some 20 per cent of people who need treatment have access to it.

Christian Aid, the official ecumenical relief organisation of a range of Protestant and Anglican churches in Britain, is urging all donors to fund the fight against HIV in full.

[Also on Ekklesia: Combat HIV/AIDS ñ church agency says it with flowers; Vatican stance on contraception may be modified; Cardinal calls for reduction in price of AIDS medicines; Priests resist condom use in HIV-hit Tanzania; Unprecedented NHS debt threatens Christian hospital; Churches sign AIDS code; Cameroon Catholic cardinal backs condom use; Churches face up to world AIDS pandemic]