The world meets in Amsterdam to fight HIV / AIDS



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18,000 scientists, activists, patients and politicians debate Monday in Amsterdam ways to reduce the global epidemic of HIV

Initially, Joint United Nations Program on HIV / AIDS HIV / AIDS (UNAIDS) was proposed in 2014 to stop the spread of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) until 2030. But this goal seems unattainable. In some countries and regions of the world, "we see again how the epidemic is developing again," warned Linda Gail-Bekker, president of the International AIDS Society

. will extend until Friday, is the largest gathering of experts on the subject. This year is celebrated under the theme "Breaking the barriers, building bridges".

Not only will new therapies be discussed and scientific developments will be presented, but will also talk about the fundamental rights of patients : for example, how they can access tests and therapies, particularly vulnerable groups in the whole world.

Currently, there are 37 million people infected with the HIV virus who can cause the disease. Acquired immunodeficiency (hence the acronym "AIDS") Most of them live in Africa, nearly 60 percent of whom are already receiving treatment, says UNAIDS.

One million lives stolen per year

Every year, one million people die of AIDS According to UNAIDS, there have been 1.8 million new infections in 2017. Therefore, the number Provisional goal of reducing the number of infections to 500 000 by 2020 The same goes for the goal of reducing the number of deaths to less than 500 000 for the same year .

"We give the alarm," said UNAIDS director, Michel Sidibé, a few days. While in Africa there is progress, the number of new infections has increased significantly in about 50 countries

"The decline in new infections was most evident in the region most affected by HIV , Eastern and Southern Africa, where new infections have been reduced by 30 percent since 2010 " UNAIDS highlighted. In contrast, the number of new annual infections has doubled in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

In Amsterdam, many personalities will support the fight against HIV / AIDS and will speak out against the stigmatization of the infected. Among others, we expect former US President Bill Clinton, Prince Harry of England and pop star Elton John.



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