World Aids Day 2009: A Time to Recommit to the Fight Against HIV/AIDS

by James F. Moriarty
December 10, 2009

http://www.weeklyblitz.net/336/world-aids-day-2009-fight-against-hiv-aids

In the last 25 years, the global health community has made large strides against the HIV/AIDS epidemic that deserve recognition this World AIDS Day.

The World Health Organization estimates that over four million individuals in low- and middle-income countries currently have access to antiretroviral treatment. And thanks to our strong partnerships around the world, the American people through the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) support more than half of these men, women and children on treatment.

Together, we have also provided compassionate care for more than 10 million people affected by HIV/AIDS, including more than four million orphans and vulnerable children, and we have supported prevention of mother-to-child transmission programs that have allowed nearly 240,000 babies to be born HIV-free.

As the largest commitment in history to combat a single disease, PEPFAR has been a driving force behind these results. Through PEPFAR, the American people have provided more than $25 billion to the fight against global AIDS. The U.S. Government is also the first and largest single contributor to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

In Bangladesh, the U.S. Government, through the United States Agency for International Development, supports a health initiative called "Modhumita" (Sweet friend) to stem the transmission of HIV/AIDS. The program prevents HIV by providing HIV-prevention services to two million at-risk people in Bangladesh. The $14 million program provides these services through a network of 54 health centers across Bangladesh. The centers offer voluntary counseling and HIV testing and provide treatment and preventive services for sexually transmitted infections. In addition to providing medical testing and treatment, the centers also rehabilitate injecting drug users, offer job skills training to recovering drug users, and deliver HIV awareness messages.

America is unwavering in this commitment to the fight against HIV. The U.S. will continue PEPFAR's essential work as a critical component of the Global Health Initiative. PEPFAR has the potential to serve as a platform upon which to build other essential health services for individuals and families. To fulfill this vision, PEPFAR will work with other U.S. Government programs and our partners worldwide to strengthen health systems and integrate HIV, tuberculosis and malaria programs with those that address maternal and child health, family planning and neglected tropical diseases.

The United States cannot defeat HIV/AIDS alone. For nations facing this epidemic, potential for success is compromised with each life lost to AIDS. For this reason, we must continue to work with countries and our global partners to overcome the many barriers that still stand in our way.

PEPFAR, in collaboration with our multilateral partners, civil society and non-governmental organizations, must support countries as they build the sustainability of their national HIV/AIDS responses. We must continue to support country-led efforts to make universal access a reality for their citizens and to boldly address the human rights challenges that drive the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

This World AIDS Day, the global community must recommit to working together to combat global AIDS.

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