Against AIDS, you can not let your guard down

Over the last year, 940,000 people worldwide have died from AIDS-related illnesses (990,000 in 2016), according to the report released by UNAIDS, the UN agency charged with the fight against the disease. [19659002] The figures, published before the International AIDS Conference 2018 to be held from July 23 to 27 in Amsterdam, also point out that in 2017, nearly three out of every five AIDS carriers in the world have access to treatment. antiretrovirals, a proportion record 21.7 million people (compared to 19.4 million in 2016), out of a total of 36.9 million people infected (compared with 36.3 million last year).

"No one would have thought we would put in treatment 22 million people in 2018 it's a dream," said Michel Sidibé, executive director of UNAIDS.

But "unfortunately, we are a little victims of these results," lamented Mr Sidibé, deploring a "crisis of prevention"

"The successes, certainly remarkable – although still limited – in terms of lives rescued and limiting new infections, they are dangerously opening the way to some form of complacency ". And "this is not the moment to lower the guard, complacency threatens to frustrate our achievements," he insisted,

and maintain this positive momentum, "there are 7 billion dollars a year "in funding, he said. Last year, $ 24 billion was spent on AIDS programs in low- and middle-income countries, funded by them at 56 percent, according to the report.

Under the administration of Donald Trump, the United States, historically the largest contributor in the fight against AIDS, plans to reduce its financial participation.

"Fear is that the decline in international donor contributions will lead to a decline in According to Sidibé, [traduction]" at least 44 countries depend on 75% of international aid to fight the epidemic "

" If we do not have these resources, there is a significant risk of resurgence of the epidemic, with a risk of increased resistance and mortality, "Sidibé warned.

This jeopardizes the UN target for 2020: 90% of people living with HIV are aware of their condition, 90% of whom are on treatment and 90% of whom are under treatment % have an undetectable viral load.

"You must reach 30 million patients," said the Malian skipper of Onusida

Breaking the barriers
Starting tomorrow, Monday, July 23, in the city of Amsterdam, will hold the 22nd International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2018) .It is the largest gathering of specialists and stakeholders on any global health problem in the world.

This year's theme, Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges, aims to draw attention to the need for rights-based approaches to more effectively reach key populations affected by acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. 19659002] Important news is expected during of the week of the Conference on Advances in HIV Prevention, including the latest research on vaccines and other tools, new lessons learned from the extension of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and strategy s innovative for key populations, such as adolescents and young adults.

The first International AIDS Conference was held in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1985. The knowledge of the disease was more doubtful than certain and constituted a true epidemic.

Since then, it has been held every year in a different city and since 1994, it has been held every four years to inform the latest data, efforts and progress. the fight against HIV / AIDS.

In Mexico, the number 17 was created in August 2008, with more than 24,000 participants and under the motto of Universal Action now.

According to the International AIDS Organizers Society (IAS) along with other official, private and NGO bodies, these conferences continue to provide a unique forum for the intersection of science. , defense and rights. humans; be an opportunity to strengthen policies and programs that ensure an evidence-based response to the epidemic.

In Mexico:
220 thousand people were living with HIV in 2016; about 60% of them received antiretroviral therapy and 50% suppressed their viral load
13 thousand 883 people were infected with HIV in 2017
4 thousand 630 people died from diseases related to HIV / AIDS in 2916.

Source: The Sun of Mexico