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UNAIDS calls for renewed vigor on AIDS in Asia-Pacific (2) |
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20:56, August 20, 2007 |
Rao stated that achieving regional targets of Universal Access to HIV prevention, treatment and care demands a sharply defined multi-sectored government response and a revitalized civil society to confront legal and social barriers.
While applauding harm reduction policies in Malaysia, China and India, revived prevention efforts in Thailand, and outreach to men who have sex with men in Cambodia, Rao stressed that stigma and discriminatory laws still poses serious obstacles in the region.
Rao also expressed concern about the rise in political instability and conflict in many Asia Pacific countries which thwarts access to HIV prevention and treatment programs.
"Apart from the direct toll of human lives, conflict also exacerbates existing problems of poverty and displaces thousands, making them more vulnerable to health related problems," Rao said.
Concluding his speech, Rao called upon civil society groups -- including people living with HIV -- to continue and to increase pressure on governments to deliver concrete AIDS programs.
According to the World Health Organization, between 2.8 and 9.8 million people were living with HIV in Asia in 2006 and between 310,000 and 610,000 people became newly infected with the virus.
Source: Xinhua
[1] [2]
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