Realising equality in access to HIV treatment for vulnerable and marginalised groups in Africa

Abstract

Almost thirty years into the HIV/AIDS pandemic its negative effects (including loss of health, income and a source of living) have continued to threaten lives in most parts of the world, particularly sub-Saharan Africa. Although recent figures tend to show that the spread of the epidemic is declining or stabilising in many countries, the devastating effects of the epidemic have not abated. UNSAID has reported that at the end of 2009 there were about 33 million people living with HIV worldwide. Of this figure, Africa accounts for about 23 million, that is, 68 percent of the people living with HIV. The report indicates that across the world, particularly in the hardest hit regions such as Africa, efforts targeted at reducing the spread of HIV are beginning to yield positive results. According to the report, HIV incidence has fallen by 25 percent between 2001 and 2009 in 33 countries, of which 22 are in sub-Saharan Africa. An estimated 2.6 million people were infected with HIV worldwide in 2009, about one fifth fewer than the 3.1 million people infected in 1999. In sub-Saharan Africa it is estimated that 1.8 million people were newly infected with HIV in 2009, fewer than the 2.2 million people newly infected in 2001.