Countries urged to reach out to AIDS-prone populations

MANILA, Philippines – The World Health Organization (WHO) has asked countries in the Western Pacific region and Southeast Asia to ensure that the most vulnerable sectors to human immuno deficiency virus (HIV) are reached to achieve the target of ending AIDS by 2030.

In a statement, WHO said almost 5,000 people were infected with HIV in the Asia-Pacific region in 2013, one-sixth of the global burden.

The HIV burden in the region is the second highest after sub-Saharan Africa with some 350,000 new cases in 2013.

“Although HIV numbers have fallen in some countries, the epidemic is rising quickly in many others and is concentrated in key populations,” noted Shin Young-soo, WHO regional director for Western Pacific.

Shin said less than half of all HIV positive people across Asia and the Pacific are aware of their status and less than half of those who need antiretroviral drugs are taking them.

“Closing the HIV testing and treatment gaps can improve support and access to lifesaving medicine for those in need. Otherwise, we may not aspire to the global goal of ending AIDS by 2030,” he said. -Sheila Crisostomo (The Philippine Star)