UNAIDS’ Piot: Universal Access to HIV Prevention, Treatment Has Made Progress

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UNAIDS’ Piot: Universal Access to HIV Prevention, Treatment Has Made Progress

By Sonal Singh Wadhwa

New Delhi – Efforts by governments, multilateral and bilateral

institutions, and members of the civil society to provide universal

access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support are starting to

become a reality, said Dr. Piot, Executive Director, UNAIDS.

" We are beginning to see real progress and a clear return on AIDS

investments, " Dr. Piot said.

Dr. Piot, speaking at an international conference on microbicides in

New Delhi, noted that currently there are 3 million people on anti-

retroviral (ARV) therapy in lower income countries, as compared to

less than 200,000 people on ARV in 2001.

" This is a remarkable achievement in international development, " said

Dr. Piot.

The UNAIDS estimates that there are between 33 to 40 million people

worldwide infected by HIV.

He added that HIV prevalence has started to fall or plateau in

certain parts of the world, such as in East Africa, the Carribean and

in Southern India, due to changes in sexual behaviour. He attributed

this change to the aggressive HIV prevention strategies that have

been undertaken in these countries.

However, he cautioned that the real challenge lay in sustaining these

gains and replicating it in other parts of the world. He pointed out

that one of vulnerable groups that are at high risk are Asian men who

have sex with men, which is similar to the past situation in western

countries regarding HIV infection.

" What we need to do is move urgently in HIV Prevention and

microbicides will help us there, " Dr. Piot said.

Microbicides are products such as gels, creams, suppositories or a

long lasting vaginal ring can be applied vaginally or anally to

prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, and especially

HIV/AIDS.

At present, there is no cure or vaccine against HIV/AIDS, and

prevention of sexual transmission of the disease depends largely on

the use of condoms or abstinence.