Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Mail & Guardian (Johannesburg) - Thursday 30 October, 2003
Legal protection: Stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/Aids must be eradicated as a critical component of expanding access to treatment and care, according to UNAids and the World Health Organisation.
According to the UNAids global progress report presented to the United Nations General Assembly last month, close to 40% of countries, including half of the countries in sub-Saharan Africa, have yet to adopt anti-discrimination legislation to protect people living with HIV/Aids.
"It is a serious injustice to see that only 1% of the 4,1-million people in sub-Saharan Africa who need antiretroviral therapy have access to it," said Ben Plumley, CEO of UNAids, speaking at the opening of the 11th International Conference for People Living with HIV/Aids in Kampala, Uganda. "As we work together to close this vast treatment gap, we must also tackle the intolerance and fear that prevents people from accessing the services they need."
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