The global AIDS epidemic shows no signs of abating. Although some countries are looking forward towards progress with respect to treating children suffering from AIDS, however, universally the situation is not the same.
Young people and children are increasingly affected by the epidemic, and efforts to protect these and other vulnerable groups are not keeping pace with the epidemic’s impact.
Must we put our head in the sand by pretending that these people do not exist or that they do not need help?
Or does that imply that the international monetary fund is not properly allocated?
Data revealed that
1. An estimated 38.6 million living with HIV worldwide, 4.1 million newly infected in 2005 and 2.8 million died of AIDS in 2005.
2. According to UNAIDS estimate at the end of 2006, 39.5 million living with HIV, 4.3 million new infections and 2.9 million deaths from AIDS.
3. 10% pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa are infected with HIV. Majority of them do not have access to antiretroviral drugs that combat the infection so nearly 1/3rd of their children are prone to become infected right after birth.
4. 380,000 children dying from AIDS last year.
Problem has deteriorated further because the children are residing with parents who are extremely ill due to the infection. And in most cases the disease has orphaned children.
The factors, which hinder the treatment, are firstly, the ability to detect infected children, secondly, availability of drugs and thirdly affordability.
In addition, lack of prevention and treatment has turned nearly 15.2 million children orphans. The number is assumed to grow to 20 million by 2010.
Bottom line
Access to antiretroviral treatment has expanded significantly, yet HIV treatment coverage varies considerably within regions.
Improved data and understandings of the epidemic are vital for effective planning and programming at country and regional levels so problem has to be tackled at the grass root level.
This could become a reality by a healthy liaison between national and international level. Only then, this world would going to be a place worth living for the children who are vulnerable to such infections.
