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 register There are 21.7 million people (compared to 19.4 million in 2016), out of a total of 36.9 million 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 Sidibe, lamenting a "crisis of prevention"

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

And to maintain this positive momentum, "7 billion dollars a year are missing" funding. 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.

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

"Fear is that dwindling contributions from international donors lead to a regression of 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 the 30 million patients treated in 2020," said the Malian skipper of UNAIDS

Breaking the barriers

Starting tomorrow, Monday, July 23, in Amsterdam, will be held the 22nd International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2018). It is the largest meeting of specialists and stakeholders on any global health problem around the world.

This year's theme is
Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges
to draw attention to the need for rights-based approaches to more effectively reach key populations affected by acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Important news is expected during the week of the Conference on Advances in HIV Prevention, including the latest research on vaccines and other tools; new lessons learned from the expansion of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and innovative strategies for key populations, such as adolescents and young adults.

The first international AIDS conference was held in Atlanta in 1985, when the knowledge of the disease was more doubtful than certain and it was a true epidemic.

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

In Mexico, the number 17 took place in August 2008, with more than 24,000 participants and under the motto of universal action now.

According to the International AIDS Society (IAS), which organizes with other official and private organizations and NGOs, these conferences continue to provide a unique forum for the intersection of science, defense and human rights; 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 treatment and 50% suppressed their viral load
• 13 000 883 people
  were infected with HIV in 2017
• 4 thousand 630 people
  have died of HIV-related illnesses. HIV / AIDS in 2916