World marks World Aids Day
Countries around the world are today marking World Aids Day, a day
set aside to raise since 1988 to raise awareness of the fight against
the Aids pandemic.
The UN agency that deals with combating the
pandemic says that a lot of progress has been made, but that there needs
to be a push for people to have a right to health services.
It says that 21 million people around the world are receiving treatment but that 17 million others are missing out.
Michel Sidibe, the executive director of UNAids, gave a video message:
"On every #WorldAIDSDay, we look back to remember our family members and friends who have died from AIDS-related illnesses and recommit our solidarity with all who are living with or affected by HIV" - @MichelSidibe— UNAIDS (@UNAIDS) December 1, 2017
Full statement: https://t.co/UFhK3orDeV pic.twitter.com/ypQ1tFAOP2
He said that the goal to end Aids by 2030 will be severely undermined if access to health is not considered a right:
The world will not achieve the Sustainable Development Goals - which include the target of ending Aids by 2030 - without people attaining their right to health. The right to health is interrelated with a range of other rights, including the rights to sanitation, food, decent housing, healthy working conditions and a clean environment."
He added that:
Western
and central Africa is still being left behind. Two out of three people
are not accessing treatment. We cannot have a two-speed approach to
ending Aids."
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