Progress Made On Universal Access To HIV Treatment

Vital progress made towards universal access to HIV prevention, treatment - Ban

10 June 2008 - The world has made "important achievements" in its quest to obtain universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support by 2010, demonstrating what can be done where there is sufficient political will, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the General Assembly today.

Women and children are benefiting especially, he said in an address to the start of the Assembly's high-level meeting on HIV/AIDS, where he presented his latest report on the progress made towards the goal of universal access since it was set two years ago.

More mothers now have access to interventions that prevent transmission to their infants and more HIV-infected children are receiving treatment and care programmes. At least 3 million people now have access to anti-retroviral treatment in poor or middle-income countries.

But Mr. Ban warned that too many people are becoming newly infected, dying from the disease or not receiving anti-retroviral treatment despite being in urgent need.

Last year, for example, "there were twice as many people in need of anti-retroviral treatment and going without, as there were receiving it," he said. "This situation is unacceptable."

ENDS

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