Sunday, July 29, 2012

World AIDS Day highlights global challenge

World AIDS Day highlights global challenge

The UN says Indonesia has the fastest-growing HIV epidemic in Asia. (AFP: Ahmad Zamroni)

United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon has launched the 20th World AIDS Day at a midnight ceremony at St Bartholomew's Church in New York.

Mr Ban has called on governments around the world to allow universal access to HIV prevention and treatment.

He says the stigma associated with the disease is the biggest barrier towards combating AIDS.

"For AIDS is a disease unlike any other," he said.

"AIDS is a social issue, a human rights issue, an economic issue.

"It targets young adults, just as they should be contributing to economic development, intellectual growth and bringing up the children."

The UN says one of the biggest areas of concern in the worldwide fight against AIDS is funding.

To meet the Group of Eight (G8) goal of providing universal access to antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) by 2010, $47 billion will be needed. So far, only $17.4 billion is in the kitty.

Mr Ban has called on governments to accelerate efforts to meet that goal.

"I call for leadership among all governments in fully understanding the epidemic - so that resources go where they are most needed," he said.

"And I call for leadership at all levels to scale up towards universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support by 2010."

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