| From: |
Korey Anthony Chisholm [ profile ] |
| Subject: |
People living with HIV say: Essential life-saving medicines makeUniversal Access an investment, not an expense
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| Sent: |
Jun 12th, 2011 - 03:10:34 |
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*Amsterdam/New York - June 9, 2011* - The Global Network of People living
with HIV (GNP+) welcomes the commitment of UN member states to achieve
universal access to HIV treatment by 2015. Following weeks of negotiations,
a new Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS will be agreed at the High Level
Meeting on HIV, which is coming to a close in New York. Member states will
commit to working towards 15 million people living with HIV being on
antiretroviral treatment by 2015. Achieving this target will be a critical
step towards ending the global AIDS epidemic.
Whilst advancements in treatment have improved the quality of life of people
living with HIV, nearly 10 million people who need these treatments do not
have access to them- most of these living in sub- Saharan Africa. The
commitment to increase access comes as new research shows that starting
treatment early increases the health outcomes for the person living with HIV
and reduces the risk of transmission by up to 96%. This preventative effect
of treatment makes investment in treatment an even more efficient investment
in global public health. It is therefore concerning that the commitment to
increasing access is not matched by as strong a commitment to close the
resource gap by 2015. Commitments to Universal Access goals are meaningless
without committing to the funding needed to achieve them.
"People living with HIV have been calling for full funding of equitable
access to treatment, care and prevention for over a decade," says Kevin
Moody, GNP+ International Coordinator and CEO. "The confirmation of the
preventative effect of anti-retroviral treatment shows that treatment is not
an expense but an investment that not only makes people healthier and more
productive in their communities, but also prevents onward transmission of
HIV."
In the area of the human rights of people living with and most vulnerable to
HIV, the political declaration falls short of the unequivocal support for
human rights demanded by activists. Whilst member states reiterate
commitments creating enabling legal, social and policy frameworks in order
to eliminate stigma, discrimination and HIV-related violence, GNP+ is
disappointed that the commitments to human rights are weakened dramatically
by deferring to national legal frameworks.
Furthermore references to key affected populations, in particular, sex
workers, men who have sex with men and people who use drugs, fail to appear
in any of the new commitments. Universal access can never be a reality until
the HIV response engages meaningfully with, protects the human rights of,
and provides comprehensive services to those most affected by the epidemic.
Commitments around the legal reform and redress are lacking throughout much
of the outcome declaration, specifically as they relate to the law being a
barrier to access for so many.
In a presentation at the panel session on Innovations and New Technologies,
Chris Mallouris, Director of Programmes, at GNP+ called upon member states
to "direct funding towards evidence-based strategies, with HIV treatment as
a cornerstone of those proven interventions that prevent new infections and
treat HIV effectively."
"Governments must ensure the availability of appropriate treatment at the
lowest possible costs and use TRIPS flexibilities to their fullest where
needed and applicable," stated Chris Mallouris, going on to say, "Continuing
and intensifying investments in innovation - treatment, prevention,
vaccines, laboratory diagnostics and monitoring - are crucial in meeting the
prevention and treatment targets set by the Declaration.
*Read More:*
- GNP+ advocacy on Positive Health, Dignity and Prevention and on New
Prevention Technologies:
http://www.gnpplus.net/en/programmes/positive-health-dignity-and-prevention
- GNP+ advocacy around the UN High Level Meeting:
http://www.gnpplus.net/en/news-and-events/key-events/ungass-2011
- Civil Society Coalition on AIDS: http://www.icaso.org/ungass.html
- Coalition statement on *Non-negotiable language for the Outcome
Document of the UN High Level Meeting on AIDS: *
http://www.gnpplus.net/images/stories/Empowerment/Non-Negotiable_Language_for_the_HLM_Outcome_Document-Civil_Society_Coalition_on_AIDS.pdf
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*The Global Network of People living with HIV (GNP+)* is a global network
for and by people living with HIV. GNP+ advocates to improve the quality of
life of people living with HIV. The central theme for the work of GNP+ is
Reclaiming Our Lives! GNP+ programmes are organised under four platforms of
action: Empowerment; Positive Health, Dignity and Prevention; Human Rights;
and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.
*More information about this news release*
Please contact GNP+ in Amsterdam: Martin Stolk, Communications officer, by
email mstolk (at) gnpplus.net, or phone +31-6-1991 2406/+31-20-423 4114
Best regards,
Korey Anthony Chisholm
Global Youth Coalition on HIV and AIDS (GYCA) | 749 Sixth Field Cummings
Lodge |Greater Georgetown, Demerara |Guyana, South America T:+1 (592) 662
1441or (592) 623 8022 | O:+1 592 227 1011/12| Skpe: kchisholm2 |
http://www.tigweb.org | http://www.gyca.org
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National UNV Volunteer, Community Youth Facilitator |UNV - Community Youth
Facilitator |United Nations Development Programme |United Nations Volunteer
Programme |korey.chisholm (at) gmail.com |http://www.undp.org.gy | http://unv.org
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Peace Project Officer and Youth Club Manager |Children, Families and
Communities Department |Volunteer Youth Corps Inc. | Lot E Luckhoo Street,
Durban Backlands, Georgetown Guyana, South America |Tel: Cell (+592) 623
8022 |Office (+592) 227 1011/12 |kchisholmvyc (at) gmail.com |
http://www.vycguyana.net
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Founder and Chairperson |Diverse Youth Movement |48 Brickdam Stabroek,
Georgetown Guyana, South America |dymovement (at) gmail.com |
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