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Help Least Likely Where Most Needed; Africa Ravaged by Virus
Summary from the United Kingdom, from articles in English
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A major report found just 31% of people in need of treatment in low and middle-income countries had access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) in 2007. (article 1)
The report, by the World Health Organization (WHO), UNAids and Unicef, said an extra 950,000 people in these countries received the drugs last year. (article 1)
But by the end of 2007, the total number on treatment had still not quite reached that figure, leaving an estimated 6.7 million people unable to access potentially life-saving drugs. (article 1)
The report says that by the end of 2007 an estimated 33.2 million people worldwide were living with HIV, with 2.5 million people newly infected during the year. (article 1)
The report blames the failure to achieve more widespread access to drugs on weak healthcare systems in badly affected countries, coupled with a lack of trained staff and sustainable, long-term financing. (article 1)
A "brain drain" of skilled healthcare workers to other occupations and other countries is a significant factor in the hardest-hit regions. (article 1)
Male circumcision - which can reduce the risk of passing on HIV during sex - is also now more effectively promoted in heavily affected regions of sub-Saharan Africa. (article 1)
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Other summaries about this story:
Event tracking:
Story keywords
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AIDS, HIV, vaccine, virus, infected |
Source articles
- Many still denied HIV drug access (BBC News, 06/02/2008, 475 words)
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blaster@cs.columbia.edu
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