Dr. Julio Montaner director of the BC-CfE applauds the significant push from UNAIDS, in partnership with the Global Fund and PEPFAR as well as the African Union and other key stakeholders to maximize the impact of HIV treatment on the prevention of morbidity, mortality and HIV transmission.
In an announcement made this weekend, in Abuja, Nigeria, UNAIDS launched a new framework called Treatment 2015, to accelerate action in reaching 15 million people with antiretroviral treatment by 2015–the goal set by United Nations Member States in 2011, and furthering this target to nearly 26 million people on antiretroviral therapy as soon as possible thereafter. This is based on the new consolidated guidelines put forward by the World Health Organization (WHO) earlier this month at the International AIDS Society’s AIDS 2013 Conference, in Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia. Key 2013 WHO guidelines recommendations include immediate access to antiretroviral therapy for people with TB and/or Hepatitis B, HIV serodiscordant couples, pregnant women and children less than 5 years old.
Dr Montaner stated,”the new 2013 WHO guidelines represent a dramatic step forward as they virtually close the gap in the eligibility for antiretroviral therapy between the North and South of the world. Furthermore, they critically incorporate early intervention with antiretroviral therapy as a means of preserving health and quality of life, preventing disease progression and death, as well as preventing HIV transmission”.
Dr Montaner added,”the end of AIDS is within grasp, expanding treatment as prevention, as recommended by the 2013 WHO guidelines, will bring this epidemic to its knees. Together, we can stop AIDS, and move towards realizing the vision of an HIV & AIDS-free generation. We should rally behind UNAIDS to make the best of this extraordinary opportunity.”