[afro-nets] WHO's 3 by 5 HIV Initiative at Risk of Failing

[Claudio Schuftan <claudio@hcmc.netnam.vn>]

WHO's 3 by 5 HIV Initiative at Risk of Failing
----------------------------------------------
says Lancet editorial

from Vern Weitzel <vern.weitzel@undp.org>

08 May 2005

Lack of financial resources, staff, and commitment from key
countries, may hamper WHO's goal to provide life-long antiretro-
viral therapy to 3 million people with HIV/AIDS in developing
countries by the end of 2005 (3 by 5), states an editorial in
this week's issue of The Lancet.

Though progress has been made with 720,000 people in developing
countries receiving antiretroviral treatment and three times the
target number of outlets providing antiretrovirals, the finan-
cial resources allocated to 3 by 5 are below what are needed
(US$ 163 million vs 174million), and the number of WHO staff de-
ployed to the initiative is well below what it should be (112
vs400). Only 30 countries have established treatment goals in-
stead of the December target of 50. Three countries in particu-
lar need to show their commitment-India, South Africa and Nige-
ria.

Overall it is in Africa that the greatest barrier exists, states
the editorial. Of the estimated 4 million in Africa who need an-
tiretrovirals, only 325000 (8%) were on treatment by December.
Despite huge successes in Uganda and Botswana, for example, with
both countries already delivering antiretrovirals to half their
affected populations, the burden of disease remains great and
the distribution of antiretrovirals is poor in South Africa, Ni-
geria, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and Ethiopia.

The Lancet comments: "If the 3 by 5 programme had the political
clout to influence South Africa alone to implement all its rec-
ommendations, where the necessary infrastructure largely exists,
then the 3 million target would be more likely to be attained.
Without South Africa on board, with its 837 000 people affected
by HIV/AIDS and its leadership position within Africa, 3 by 5 is
but a pipe dream."

The Lancet
42 Bedford Square
London WC1B 3SL
United Kingdom
http://www.thelancet.com

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