United Nations initiative hopes to end AIDS epidemic by 2030
The United Nations programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) has announced a plan to “fast track” approach to tackling the AIDS epidemic with a view to ending it by 2030.
The latest report from UNAIDS titled ‘Fast-Track: ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030’, outlines a plan to avert 28 million new HIV infections and 21 million AIDS-related deaths by 2030.
“We have bent the trajectory of the epidemic,” said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “Now we have five years to break it for good or risk the epidemic rebounding out of control.”
The report was launched this week at the University of California in Los Angeles at an event featuring special guest Charlize Theron.
The report outlines the “90-90-90” plan, which states a hope that by 2020, 90% of people living with HIV know their status, 90% of people who know their status are on treatment, and 90% of people on treatment have suppressed vviral loads.
The report estimates that by June 2014, 13.6 million people had access to antiretroviral therapy, a promising number, but still not on track to reach the 90-90-90 target.
Ms Theron said: “When young people have access to quality HIV health and education options, they make smart choices for their futures. Let’s make sure adolescents everywhere are empowered to be part of the solution to ending this epidemic.
“Meeting UNAIDS Fast-Track Targets will ensure no one is left behind.”
