December 28, 2009

HIV/AIDS Among Top 10 Crises of 2009

HIV/AIDS makes the Doctors Without Borders top 10 list of humanitarian crises of 2009, the Associated Press reports. A funding shortage could leave an estimated 10 million HIV-positive people without treatment in the developing world.  

The medical humanitarian group assembled the list to alert policymakers not to ease off the fight against HIV/AIDS, despite the invention of life-sustaining drugs.  

“In some countries, doctors are turning patients away, advised to wait until other patients die,” said Sophie Delaunay, executive director of Doctors Without Borders. “What’s going to happen is that patients are going to show up at the door of our clinics and there is a high possibility of us getting overwhelmed.”  

Many countries, including the United States, announced plans to reduce or limit funding, even though they pledged to support universal treatment by 2010, Delaunay said.  

Some of the other crises on the list include governments preventing access to lifesaving assistance in Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Sudan; a lack of respect for civilian safety and aid efforts in Yemen, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo; and inadequate international funds to fight neglected diseases and malnutrition.

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Previous Comments:

IamStone, Mulberry AR., 2010-01-06 08:45:58
I am not surprised with the countries mentioned that there are people going without treatment.I am sure 90% of it is lack of funding or funding that is coming in that never makes it to where it is suppose to go.HIV/Aids studies and treatment need to constantly be taken care of.I believe everyone living with HIV and Aids deserve treatment.If they are ever going to stop HIV and Aids is getting support,treatment and funding.Sounds to me those countries would just prefer their people to die.

Joe, Nelson, 2009-12-29 20:34:52
Its aboiut time we (the west) changed our economic system. All companies should be not for profit. The 'American Dream' is a joke. Its selfish and competitive. Lets all chill out and work for one another. In New Zealand millionaires don't show off their money because that is not cool. America needs to realise that having 'too much' money is greedy.

Richie, So. Cal, 2009-12-29 16:17:20
I have dedicated time this month to spread AIDS Awareness and am so amazed myself at the global statistics, much less what those who are not directly infected or affected by this pandemic don't know or realize! IT IS a HUGE HUGE PROBLEM for ALL of us and future generations!!

Dave Schultz, surrey BC, 2009-12-29 13:29:50
that is totaly messed up, I bet ya if it is one of the dr's family they are treated no matter what