At G8 Summit, Commitment on AIDS Treatment Threatened; Africa Needs Universal Access by 2010, not 50% Access
By, Zambia National AIDS Network, Earthtimes.org, June 5, 2007
Today the UN Special Envoy for AIDS in Africa, Elizabeth Mataka, raised an alarm about a potential weakening of the international commitment for universal access to HIV/AIDS treatment.
Reports from inside the negotiations taking place prior to the G8 Summit in Germany suggest that some G8 countries favor a dramatic scaling back of the commitment to universal access to treatment, which was made two years ago.
Some delegations are urging that the G8's Communique include treatment targets that would represent only 50% coverage, that is, far less than universal coverage. In contrast, the G8 in 2005 committed to reaching universal access, which is defined as 80% coverage by UNAIDS. Between 10 and 12 million will need treatment by 2010, yet the same leaders are urging the Communique set a target of only "5 million in the next few years."
"Africa will suffer greatly if the commitment is scaled back," said Elizabeth Mataka, the UN Special Envoy for AIDS in Africa. Mataka is also currently the Executive Director of the Zambia National AIDS Network (ZNAN) and she represents non-governmental organizations from developing countries on the Board of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and serves as the Board's Vice-Chair.
"It is very disturbing to hear that some G8 countries are seeking to weaken the world's resolve on this issue," she continued. "Just as we are trying to energize the global response to reach universal access, including by African governments themselves, the last thing we need is for the G8 to shift the goal posts."
"Communities have been mobilized towards voluntary counseling and testing (VCT), a critical entry point to prevention, and so we cannot hold back the tempo," Ms. Mataka said. "We have raised hopes and created demand, and we therefore have a more than moral obligation to ensure treatment for all."
"To achieve universal access the G8 should commit to provide US$30 billion in annual funding the UN says is needed for HIV/AIDS programs by 2010. They should also reaffirm their commitment to fully replenish the Global Fund at a level of between US$6 billion and US$8 billion by 2010," said Ms. Mataka. Zambia National AIDS Network
Elizabeth Mataka, +260-1-256789, +260-1-256791-2, mobile: +260-977-709665, liznmataka@zamnet.zm
Source: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,117410.shtml
Today the UN Special Envoy for AIDS in Africa, Elizabeth Mataka, raised an alarm about a potential weakening of the international commitment for universal access to HIV/AIDS treatment.
Reports from inside the negotiations taking place prior to the G8 Summit in Germany suggest that some G8 countries favor a dramatic scaling back of the commitment to universal access to treatment, which was made two years ago.
Some delegations are urging that the G8's Communique include treatment targets that would represent only 50% coverage, that is, far less than universal coverage. In contrast, the G8 in 2005 committed to reaching universal access, which is defined as 80% coverage by UNAIDS. Between 10 and 12 million will need treatment by 2010, yet the same leaders are urging the Communique set a target of only "5 million in the next few years."
"Africa will suffer greatly if the commitment is scaled back," said Elizabeth Mataka, the UN Special Envoy for AIDS in Africa. Mataka is also currently the Executive Director of the Zambia National AIDS Network (ZNAN) and she represents non-governmental organizations from developing countries on the Board of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and serves as the Board's Vice-Chair.
"It is very disturbing to hear that some G8 countries are seeking to weaken the world's resolve on this issue," she continued. "Just as we are trying to energize the global response to reach universal access, including by African governments themselves, the last thing we need is for the G8 to shift the goal posts."
"Communities have been mobilized towards voluntary counseling and testing (VCT), a critical entry point to prevention, and so we cannot hold back the tempo," Ms. Mataka said. "We have raised hopes and created demand, and we therefore have a more than moral obligation to ensure treatment for all."
"To achieve universal access the G8 should commit to provide US$30 billion in annual funding the UN says is needed for HIV/AIDS programs by 2010. They should also reaffirm their commitment to fully replenish the Global Fund at a level of between US$6 billion and US$8 billion by 2010," said Ms. Mataka. Zambia National AIDS Network
Elizabeth Mataka, +260-1-256789, +260-1-256791-2, mobile: +260-977-709665, liznmataka@zamnet.zm
Source: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,117410.shtml
posted by AIDS-Care-Watch at 1:46 pm
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home