There is virtually no country or region in the world that has remained unscathed by the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, AIDS, and its causative agent, the Human Immuno-deficiency Virus HIV since its outbreak a quarter of a century ago. It is estimated that more than 25 million people have so far died of AIDS while new infections of the virus continue to soar among most countries, particularly in Africa . Latest figures indicate that across the world, 33 million people are affected by the virus.
The United Nations Programme on AIDS, UNAIDS and the World Health Organisation say sub-Sahara Africa remains perhaps the most affected region, recording some 25.8 million cases of HIV or 64% of the world’s cases. They also put the AIDS deaths in the region at two point four million and new cases as at 3.2 million in 2005. It is said that more than 60% of all people with HIV live in sub-Sahara Africa, with very high prevalence rates in Kenya , Uganda and Zimbabwe . Africa is followed closely by Asia where 8.3 million persons live with the disease representing 20.6% of the global infections. The list goes on and on.
The Ghana AIDS Commission in 2005 puts the country’s HIV prevalence rate of persons between 25 to 39 years at about 10%. The low prevalence rate in Ghana should however not give anyone any false sence of security hence the need for us to intensify our education and prevention campaign against the epidemic. The real fact is that the HIV/AIDS epidemic in some countries is so severe that one is tempted to brand it as a complete disaster and the only hope of mankind lies in an eventual discovery of a cure or mitigating drugs that can prong the lives of infected persons.
Occasional news that some drugs have been found to be effective against the pandemic is a step forward in winning the fight against the scourge. Currently, scientists are believed to be testing a vaccine designed to give HIV patients a prolonged break from their regular medication without side effects. At the ongoing conference on AIDS in Mexico City its been reported that 345 patients in 21 centres in the United States and Europe will take part in the largest-ever trial of a vaccine developed by a biotechnology company based in Norway. Though the full impact of this new vaccine is yet to be felt, any advance that gives people more treatment choices and delays the progress of the virus must be considered a positive step forward.
The devastating effect of AID/HIV has become so worrying that some 20,000 scientists, government officials and campaigners are brainstorming in Mexico City to strategise ways of giving universal access to anti-retroviral treatment. Critical among the issues for discussion in Mexico are universal access to treatment improving prevention against infection and social issues such as stigma and violence against women. In line with this, former US President, Bill Clinton has labeled the epidemic a very big dragon and called for an increase in funding to keep down the cost of drugs for people living with HIV. According to Mr. Clinton, a 50 per cent rise is required in the next two years to keep pace with expanding drug programmes.
This has become even more imperative due to the global oil and food crisis, which are making the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS more difficult and challenging. The UN General Assembly and the G8 have set the goal of achieving universal access to treatment and therapy at 2010. This is an agreed target but whether world leaders and anati-AiDS campaigners would be able to realize this is another question that remains to be answered.
Another critical issue is the concern expressed by the Red Cross and Red Crescent that much of the money spent on Aids is not reaching those in need. The Institute of Security Studies and Transparency International say corruption and poor oversight have undermined the fight against HIV AIDS in South Africa , where 30% of the population is infected. The risk factors again are likely to increase during conflicts and political turbulence when thousands of people particularly women and children are abused, raped or driven into refugee.
Africa already has lots of HIV/AiDS orphans and unless an antidote is found for the continent’s numerous political crises, it could find itself in a worse situation vis-à-vis the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Even though anti-retroviral drugs are said to be available in the country, having access to and distributing them to the right persons at the right time and at no cost remains one of the biggest challenges that government must address.
BY: RAY ANKOMAH, A JOURNALIST
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