Posted: Tuesday, July 23, 2024. 12:16 pm CST.
By Aaron Humes: A new UNAIDS report shows the Caribbean AIDS [Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome] epidemic can be ended by 2030, but only if leaders boost resources to prevent new infections and put people on treatment and human rights are protected.
Meanwhile, Belize is one of four countries cited where AIDS-related deaths have increased since 2010, although the Ministry of Health says the number has plateaued in recent years. Belize recently eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis.
Epidemiologist Dr Russell Manzanero told Channel 5 News, “It’s not, it differs probably just a little bit or goes down and goes up. So those numbers have not changed. … Based on what we’re doing, as a ministry and as an entire response, because with the call on the National AIDS Commission and everybody that’s a part of that is how do we address the situation right now? How is it that we’re going to look at what is the best way to address this? To be done and do we need to do more targeted interventions with specific groups? Do we have this epidemic concentrated in a certain population? So those are the things we’re trying to work at.”
The report, titled ‘The Urgency of Now: AIDS at a Crossroads’, indicates that decisions made by world leaders this year will have a profound impact on the lives of millions and the outcome of the world’s most devastating pandemic.
Out of the 39.9 million individuals living with HIV globally, a concerning 9.3 million (almost a quarter) are not receiving life-saving treatment, leading to an AIDS-related fatality every minute.
In the Caribbean, significant progress has been made in combating HIV since 2010; however, the decline in the annual number of new HIV infections has slowed over the past five years. As of the end of 2023, countries such as Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Jamaica accounted for almost 90 percent of new infections, with Haiti alone contributing to over one-third (38 percent) of new HIV cases. Key populations and their partners still accounted for 47 percent of new infections in 2022.
The report projects that if leaders take decisive actions to ensure adequate and sustainable funding and protect human rights, the number of people worldwide requiring life-long HIV treatment will stabilize around 29 million by 2050. However, failure to do so may lead to an increase in the number of people needing life-long support to 46 million, compared to 39.9 million in 2023.
UNAIDS Executive Director, Winnie Byanyima, emphasized that world leaders can fulfill their pledge to end the AIDS pandemic only if they provide the necessary resources for the HIV response and safeguard the human rights of all individuals. By doing so, they can save millions of lives, prevent numerous new HIV infections, and ensure a healthy life for everyone living with HIV.
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The post Belize seeks strategy to reduce AIDS-related deaths: international body urges renewal of purpose to end deadly disease by 2030 appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Tuesday, July 23, 2024. 12:16 pm CST. By Aaron Humes: A new UNAIDS report shows the Caribbean AIDS [Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome] epidemic can be ended
The post Belize seeks strategy to reduce AIDS-related deaths: international body urges renewal of purpose to end deadly disease by 2030 appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
