UN: AIDS REMAINS ONE OF THE LEADING CAUSES OF PREMATURE DEATH

ArmInfo
2009-12-01 12:48:00

ArmInfo. AIDS remains one of the leading causes of premature death in
all over the world, Ms. Laylee Moshiri-GilaniUnited Nations Children’s
Fund (UNICEF) Representative said at today’e event dedicated to the
World AIDS Day.

‘On World AIDS Day this year, our challenge is clear: we must continue
doing what works, but we must also do more, on an urgent basis, to
uphold our commitment to reach universal access to HIV prevention,
treatment, care and support by 2010’, – she said and added that this
goal can be achieved only if we shine the full light of human rights
on HIV. ‘That means countering any form of HIV-related stigma and
discrimination. It means eliminating violence against women and girls.

It means ensuring access to HIV information and services. I urge all
countries to remove punitive laws, policies and practices that hamper
the AIDS response, including travel restrictions against people
living with HIV. Successful AIDS responses do not punish people;
they protect them.

In many countries, legal frameworks institutionalize discrimination
against groups most at risk. Yet discrimination against sex workers,
drug users and men who have sex with men only fuels the epidemic
and prevents cost-effective interventions. We must ensure that AIDS
responses are based on evidence, not ideology, and reach those most
in need and most affected.

On this World AIDS Day, let us uphold the human rights of all
people living with HIV, people at risk of infection, and children
and families affected by the epidemic. Let us, especially at this
time of economic crisis, use the AIDS response to generate progress
towards the Millennium Development Goals. Most of all let us act now’,
– Ms. Moshiri said.

As director of the Republican AIDS Centre Samvel Grigoryan said,
as of 1 December 2009 808 cases of AIDS were disclosed among the
Armenian citizens, including 134 cases during the current year.

73% of them are men, 27% – women and 2%- children. The total of 200
sick of HIV/AIDS have died in Armenia since 1988. About 2 mln people
died in the world in 2008 because of AIDS.

To note, beginning from 2010 Global AIDS Fund will start giving 19
mln EUR grant funds to Armenia to fight HIV/AIDS.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress