If some countries in Asia Pacific can be on track to end AIDS then why cannot all?
BOBBY RAMAKANT - CNS
Few rich and poor nations alike are on track for HIV targets then why are not all others on track?
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Not just richer nations like New Zealand are meeting some of the 2025 HIV-related targets but also low- and middle-income countries like Nepal, Cambodia and Thailand in Asia and the Pacific region.
"2025 AIDS-related targets are ambitious but not wishful thinking: We know this, because nine countries have already achieved HIV testing and treatment targets. Four countries from Asia Pacific are treating more than 80% of people living with HIV (Cambodia, Nepal, New Zealand, Thailand). Nepal is also among the 4 countries globally that has reduced the new infections by more than 75% (compared to 2010) and can potentially reach the 90% target by 2030," said Eamonn Murphy, UNAIDS Regional Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and Asia and the Pacific region.
"Other countries can learn from their approaches. 18 countries have eliminated mother to child transmission of HIV globally - and 4 of these countries are in Asia Pacific region: Malaysia, Thailand, Maldives and Sri Lanka," he added.
"Why should I get diagnosed if I cannot access treatment"?
A sex worker had told us 20+ years back when there was no lifesaving antiretroviral therapy. She was referring to the devastating impact of HIV positive diagnosis on one's life but no way to access treatment and live normal lives (back then). But even after 20+ years, though treatment is available to a lot many people today, but may be, not accessible to all. So are prevention services which remain inaccessible or not-available because of which new infections continue to occur.
There are several countries in Asia Pacific which did not even reach half of people living with HIV with lifesaving antiretroviral therapy in 2023. Afghanistan provided the treatment to only 9% of people living with HIV, Pakistan to 15%, Fiji to 28%, Indonesia to 31%, Mongolia to 39%, Iran to 43%, Philippines to 43% and Bangladesh provided the therapy to 49% of people with HIV in 2023.
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