Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Nairobi (Agenzia Fides) - After 30 years since the discovery of the first case of HIV, 30 million people have died, other 34 million are HIV positive and every day there are 7000 new infections. However, according to the latest UNAIDS report, 1.4 million people in 2010 started antiretroviral treatment (ARV) and the overall rate of new HIV cases dropped by about 25% between 2001 and 2009. The statistics show that between 1981 and 2000, the number of HIV-positive increased from less than one million to about 27.5 million, in 2010, some 34 million people were infected. Between 2001 and 2010, the number of patients on antiretroviral drugs increased by about 22 times, there are currently 6.6 million. About 9 million people would need ARVs but have not yet had the chance.
With regard to the prevention of mother-child transmission of the disease, until 2005 only 15% of HIV positive pregnant women in low and middle income received antiretroviral prophylaxis. Fortunately, assistance is increasing and the number of new infections among children in 2009, about 370 000, is 26% lower than in 2001. The percentage of countries with programs aimed at combating the stigma and discrimination increased from 39% in 2006 to 92% in 2010, but less than half of these had a budget to achieve them. China, Namibia, Ukraine and the U.S. have recently increased the travel restrictions for HIV-positive; forty-seven countries, territories and areas, still require security measures to the entry, stay and residence of people living with HIV, more than 56 countries still have laws punishing the transmission or declaration of HIV. There are 32 countries that have laws that impose the death penalty for offenses related to drugs, and 27 provide for mandatory jail for people who use drugs. The groups at risk, at least 69 countries where there is drug use does not have programs against needle exchange. In 19 of the 39 countries that follow the ARV program, in 2010 only 10% were treated. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 06/06/2011)
