Red Cross Urges Asia to Prevent AIDS Pandemic on an African Scale

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2001. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Red Cross Urges Asia to Prevent AIDS Pandemic on an African Scale

Agence France Presse (12.17.01) - Tuesday, December 18, 2001

Asia must seize on a "window of opportunity" to prevent the HIV/AIDS crisis from developing into a pandemic on the scale that has devastated Africa, according to officials from the Red Cross. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies announced Monday at the Fifth International Conference on Home and Community Care for Persons Living with HIV/AIDS that the number of people with HIV/AIDS is rising fast in Asia, expanding by nearly 140 percent between 1997 and 2001.

"All community-based organizations... must join forces to ensure that the pandemic is contained in Asia where almost half a million people have died this year out of an infected population of 7.1 million," said the federation's head of health and community care Dr. Alvaro Bermejo.

Stefan Seebacher, regional chief for the International Federation, told AFP that a draft strategy aimed at halting the spread of the disease was being deliberated. "This would strengthen the capacity to deliver care to families and communities, through Red Cross volunteers, and help with advocacy for access to drugs," Seebacher said.

According to Seebacher, Thailand's response to the epidemic has been very good and very swift. "In Asia, Thailand is on the forefront of HIV/AIDS response. In terms of people affected and need for care, it is one of the countries that is most relevant. It's a champion of AIDS response in Asia." However, other areas are behind, causing great concern. "In China the situation is now becoming very serious, especially in southern China and particularly Yunnan province, where we are talking about large numbers even if the percentage infection is quite low," Seebacher said.
011218
AD012188

Copyright © 2001 - Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD. The CDC National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention provides the following information as a public service only. Providing synopses of key scientific articles and lay media reports on HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis does not constitute CDC endorsement. This daily update also includes information from CDC and other government agencies, such as background on Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) articles, fact sheets, press releases and announcements. Reproduction of this text is encouraged; however, copies may not be sold, and the CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update should be cited as the source of the information. Contact the sources of the articles abstracted below for full texts of the articles.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2001. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2001. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.