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WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE) – In light of a disturbing update of its funding and the recent publication of the 2018 global HIV / AIDS statistics by the Joint United Nations Program on HIV / AIDS (UNAIDS), the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is sounding the alarm about the crisis by: calling for more precise data accuracy measures and an urgent commitment to fully fund the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and malaria.
Data and funding are two of the most critical badets of an effective response to HIV / AIDS. Without this, the response will not be able to stop the epidemic and millions of people will continue to die of a disease that can be cured and prevented. Unfortunately, UNAIDS recent revelation of a $ 1 billion deficit in global AIDS funding underscores the fragility of progress to date.
"UNAIDS says that 79% of people living with HIV know their status. The AHF tested nearly 5 million people last year and we seriously doubt the accuracy of this figure. What we see on the ground is not what UNAIDS wrote in its reports, "said Denys Nazarov, AHF Global Policy and Communications Director. "The world is failing to meet its commitments to reduce new infections and AIDS-related deaths, funding is declining, basic HIV prevention has been neglected – overly optimistic rhetoric about the end of AIDS, coupled with inaccurate data, is really dangerous.
The latest UNAIDS report puts the number of people on antiretroviral therapy at 23.3 million, with a margin of uncertainty of +/- 3.8 million. The margin of uncertainty for estimating new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths is also wide. As countries voluntarily report HIV / AIDS data to UNAIDS, their accuracy is particularly uncertain in cases where it may reveal an unfavorable epidemiological picture, particularly in countries that do not rely heavily on HIV / AIDS funding. donors for the AIDS response.
"Regarding the number of treatments, we have been questioning UNAIDS estimates for several years. The data sets used to calculate them lack transparency and it is unclear whether the processing figures are cumulative. An uncertainty of several million people is really worrying, especially in public health, "said Terri Ford, CEO of the AHF. Global Policy and Advocacy. "To end AIDS, we need to start with accurate data and the money needed to continue testing and treating people with HIV who need help. It is time for rich countries to invest in money generously and give the Global Fund what it needs to do its job, which deserves to be saved. "
As we face impressive statistics on HIV / AIDS for 2018 and as we approach the next replenishment of Global Fund resources in October, AHF urges donors and government agencies not to be negligent in accepting the status quo and to continue the fight against HIV / AIDS relentlessly. . Strong leadership coupled with adequate funding and accurate data will give the world a good chance to maintain current progress in the fight against AIDS and save more lives.
For more information, please contact Ged Kenslea at [email protected] or (323) 791-5526
About AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF)
AIDS Foundation for Health (AHF), the world's largest AIDS organization, currently provides care and / or medical services to more than 1.2 million people in 43 countries in the United States, Africa, Latin America / Caribbean , in the Asia / Pacific region and in Eastern Europe. To learn more about the AHF, visit our website: www.aidshealth.org, Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/aidshealth and follow us on Twitter: @aidshealthcare and Instagram: @aidshealthcare.
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