HIV/AIDS patients suffer gravely during economic crisis

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE deepening of the global recession has posed numerous threats to the progress made in HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, according to a report issued by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) on Monday (July 6). 

According to the report, entitled ‘The Global Economic Crisis and HIV Prevention and Treatment Programmes: Vulnerabilities and Impact’, countries in Africa, the Caribbean, Europe and Central Asia are currently being faced with shortages of antiretroviral drugs and other disruptions to HIV/AIDS treatment. 

Together these countries are home to more than 60% of people worldwide receiving HIV/AIDS treatment. This means that the ongoing economic and financial crisis has the potential of reversing the progress made by international organizations in this regard.

UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé acknowledged the negative spinoffs resulting from the crisis, and stressed that HIV/AIDS prevention programmes may also be in jeopardy. 

“This is a wake-up call which shows that many of our gains in HIV prevention and treatment could unravel because of the impact of the economic crisis,” Sidibé cautioned. “Any interruption or slowing down in funding would be a disaster for the 4 million people on treatment and the millions more currently being reached by HIV prevention programmes.”

The joint report says that in some countries the affordability of antiretroviral treatment is being threatened by budget cuts and falling household income, which has of late led to crippled social safety nets and poor nutrition.

While the report does not indicate marked reductions in donor assistance for this year, it states that almost 40% of the surveyed 20-plus countries report current funding commitments for treatment programmes will end in 2009 or 2010. It adds that most of the affected countries fear external assistance will not increase or even be maintained at current levels. 

 The World Bank’s Vice President for Human Development and former Health Minister for Botswana, Joy Phumaphi, agreed that people on HIV/AIDS treatment could be in danger of losing their place in “the lifeboat”. He noted that this challenge exacerbates an already bleak prospect for millions who are waiting to start treatment.

“We cannot afford a ‘lost generation’ of people as a result of this crisis. It is essential that developing countries and aid donors act now to protect and expand their spending on health, education and other basic social services, invest effectively and efficiently, and target these efforts to make sure they reach the poorest and most vulnerable groups,” he asserted.

The UNAIDS/World Bank report outlines a number of urgent steps which are needed to maintain and expand access to HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention during the global economic crisis. 

The plan includes using existing funding more appropriately, addressing urgent funding gaps, monitoring risks of programme interruption and planning for an ‘uncertain environment’.