Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2007. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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New Vision (Kampala) - November 25, 2007
Joyce Namutebi
The Commonwealth Action Group on HIV was concerned that globally, 60% of the people living with HIV were citizens of the bloc and the majority of them (75%) did not have access to treatment.
"Vulnerable citizens, including children, women and sex workers continue to have limited access to HIV prevention, treatment and care services," the group said.
"That is deplorable," Winnie Sseruma, a member of the group, told journalists at the Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala.
"We have to stop criminalising people with HIV/AIDS. Legislation on the disease increases stigma," she added.
Sseruma said a big number of new infections were among people who did not know their HIV statuses.
Richard Mutikanya was concerned that very few countries were manufacturing generic drugs to fight the disease.
Mutikanya called for increased collaboration in the Commonwealth to ensure that the much-needed drugs were available.
"It is only through a determined, comprehensive and collective response by Commonwealth member-states that we can significantly turn the tide against HIV and deliver the promise of universal access," Mutikanya said.
Jill Liffe of the Commonwealth Association of Nurses said there was a shortage of health workers globally, adding that there was need to train more doctors.
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