UNAIDS: Significant increase in HIV in nearly 50 countries

About 18,000 experts will discuss ways to stem the global HIV epidemic this week in Amsterdam. Originally, the United Nations AIDS Program (UNAIDS) planned in 2014 to halt the spread of the HIV virus by 2030. Meanwhile, the goal is seen as difficult to achieve. In some countries and regions of the world, "we are seeing the epidemic continue to increase," warned President Linda Gail-Bekker of the International AIDS Society.

The 22nd World AIDS Conference, which runs until Friday, is the world 's largest meeting of experts on immunodeficiency. This year's motto is "breaking down barriers, building bridges". It's not just about discussing new therapies and presenting scientific news, but also basic patient rights – such as how vulnerable groups around the world can access tests and therapies.

Infects 37 million people

Nearly 37 million people are currently infected with HIV, most of whom live in Africa. Nearly 60% of them are currently being treated, writes UNAIDS. Every year, nearly one million people die of AIDS. According to UNAIDS, there were 1.8 million new infections in 2017. Thus, the key step of bringing to 500,000 the number of new infections by 2020 seems unattainable. The same goes for the plan to reduce the number of deaths to less than 500,000 by 2020.

Progress in Africa

"We give the alert," said the chief from UNAIDS, Michel Sidibe, a few days ago. Although progress has been made in Africa, the number of new infections in some 50 countries is increasing significantly. "The decline in new infections has been most evident in the region most affected by HIV, in eastern and southern Africa, where new HIV infections have fallen by 30% since 2010," UNAIDS stresses. . In contrast, the number of new infections each year in Eastern Europe and Central Asia has doubled.

In Amsterdam, many celebrities will support the fight against AIDS and fight against the stigmatization of infected people. Expectations include former US President Bill Clinton, British Prince Harry, pop legend Sir Elton John and Austrian artist Conchita Wurst.