UN Integrated Regional Information Networks - September 15, 2001

The International Conference on Global Strategies for Prevention of Mother-to-Infant HIV Transmission, attended by 700 experts from 52 countries, ended by issuing a "call to action" to governments of the developed world.

"Because the cost of protecting the unborn babies of HIV-infected women worldwide is just US $2.5 million, the call to action urges governments and organisations to recognise that cost should not be an obstacle," a statement said.

One of the doctors behind the conference, Arthur Ammamm, who is also president of Global Strategies for HIV Prevention, explained how this figure was obtained. "We took the number of HIV-positive pregnant women estimated worldwide, and then took an average transmission rate of 20 percent and an estimated discounted price of Nevaripine of 80 cents," he said. Ammamm explained the figure excluded costs such as testing for HIV and drug administration. "We were trying to say governments have to get past saying they can't afford the drugs. In 1997, many people in developing countries said that it was fantastic news about AZT. But it was unaffordable. We wanted to make the point that the cost of the drugs wasn't the issue," he was quoted as saying.

The call to action issued at the end of the meeting urged "multinational corporations, religious groups and NGOs, educational institutions, granting agencies, governments and organisations to all respond to the plea to help prevent the needless infection of women and children with HIV/AIDS". It noted that there were 1.2 million HIV-infected children alive and about 1,800 babies infected with the virus every day - the majority found in sub-Saharan Africa.

Around 30 percent of babies born to HIV positive mothers contract the virus, which can be transmitted in breast milk and in the uterus, but by far the highest number of infections come about during birth, according to the report. "This call to action is directed at governments of developed countries. We call on them to negotiate donations and discounts from pharmaceutical companies who make antiretroviral drugs and diagnostics," the statement added. It also stated that steps should be taken to ensure that "funds designated for health care are utilised for their intended purpose". For more information about the conference: http://www.globalstrategies.org/uganda/index.html

LINKS:

1. The Township AIDS Project provides a wide range of essential services to an ever widening market. When the project was started in 1989 it was aimed at decreasing the rate of HIV infections within the disadvantaged communities of the greater Soweto area. TAP provides a series of training programmes such as basic HIV/AIDS Education, HIV/AIDS in the Workplace and HIV/AIDS and the Law. http://www.tap.org.za

2. International Council of AIDS Services Organisations (ICASO), a global network of non-governmental and community-based organisations. http://www.icaso.org/icaso.html

3. The African Counselling Network (ACN) is composed of a group of individuals interested in the development of counselling in Africa. http://www.geocities.com/kim1122a

4. AIDS in Africa: Heartbreak and Hope. An initiative of the Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church, this site has statistics, news and views about the AIDS situation in Zimbabwe. http://gbgm-umc.org/programs/aidsafrica/

CONFERENCES/RESEARCH/ARTICLES:

1. The following new "Web Cast" videos are now available on AEGiS: Preventing Infection in HIV Patients

http://healthology.com/autodetect/autodetect.asp?f=hiv&c=hiv_opport&b=aegis Antiretroviral Therapy: Where Are We Now?

http://healthology.com/autodetect/autodetect.asp?f=hiv&c=hiv_art4intro&b=aeg is

2. Family Health International (FHI) has produced a series of research briefs synthesising available research on some of the most important scientific and policy questions related to the female condom. The research briefs can be found at: www.fhi.org/en/topics/fc/fcbriefs.html

3. A satellite symposium with the theme "Announcing The INs and OUTs of HIV Therapy" will be held in Chicago USA on the 22 September 2001. Get the latest information and register now for the CME certified Satellite Symposium chaired by Michael Saag, MD http://InsandOutsofHIV.com

4. The Islamic Medical Association of Uganda (IMAU) is planning to organise the First International Muslim Leaders Consultation on HIV/AIDS in Kampala from 1 to 4 November 2001. The theme of the conference is "Strategies for strengthening and expanding the national and international Muslim community response to AIDS". The provisional programme, registration form and sponsorship details are available on request. Please contact imau_ug@hotmail.com

5. The African Council of AIDS Service (AfriCASO) recently released the first edition of the "African HIV/AIDS Directory of Human Rights Organisations/Activists". For a copy, or more information, please contact Dorothy Asiedu at ipaa@enda.sn or go to the website at: http://www.africaso.org
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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.

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