More Support Needed to Reverse HIV/AIDS Epidemic in Asia

Asia is still falling short in terms of HIV prevention and treatment access needed to reverse the epidemic, delegates from 24 Asia-Pacific nations heard at a UN regional AIDS conference in Bangkok this week. From 2001 to 2009, HIV infection rates fell 25 percent in India, Nepal and Thailand; however, they rose more than 25 percent in Bangladesh and the Philippines. An estimated 5 million people in the region have HIV.

Just 30 percent of adults and 44 percent of children in the region have access to antiretroviral therapy, said Anupama Rao Singh, regional director of UNICEF in East Asia and the Pacific.

"HIV prevention services still fall short of the level required to reverse the course of HIV in the most populous part of the world," Singh said. "The larger issues of stigma and discrimination, outmoded legislations, inadequate domestic resource commitments and policies that do not adequately take account of equitable access, will remain barriers to effective prevention, treatment, care and support if they are left unaddressed."

Laws in Asia that criminalize same-sex relations, drug use and sex work undermine prevention and treatment programs and place more people at risk of HIV, UNAIDS said. Nineteen regional countries outlaw same-sex relations, and 16 limit the free movement of people with HIV.

"Long-term financing for the international HIV response is a major concern," said Murray Proctor, Australia's ambassador for HIV. "In 2009, funding for HIV actually fell globally for the first time since 2002."

The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.


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