Posts
UNAIDS has advised the eight members
of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) to foster new alliances
with emerging countries such as Brazil, China, and India to access the skills
and technology the continent needs to fight HIV/AIDS.
Speaking during the 16th ordinary
summit of UEMOA presidents held in Lome, Togo, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel
Sidibe explored new ways to fund programs fighting HIV/AIDS in Africa. He noted
that those strategic alliances could help African countries begin producing
medicine and bolster their economies.
“I hope that Africa can produce its
own drugs,” said Sidibe, adding that 90 percent of the continent’s HIV/AIDS
drugs come from India, and that 90 percent to 95 percent of research and
development is done outside of Africa. “We have to start producing these drugs
so that we can position ourselves in the market on [a] long-term basis.”
Sidibe said efforts to date have
decreased perinatal transmission, increased the number of people being treated
from 50,000 to upwards of 6 million in seven years, and reduced annual AIDS
deaths by 600,000. However, he maintains that progress remains “fragile.”
“Today in Africa, we can use 75,000
FCFA (US $142.55) to stop transmission of HIV/AIDS from mother to child, yet we
need $300,000 US dollars to maintain a child who has been infected with AIDS,”
said Sidibe.
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.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
