Turai laments dearth of information
From Folasade Folarin, Abuja
DESPITE efforts to reduce the spread of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) globally, indications have shown that the world might just be losing the battle.
Executive Director of the United Nations Joint Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS), Michael Sidibe, at the opening ceremonies of the third Eastern Europe and Central Asia Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Conference held in Moscow declared that the world is losing the battle to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Sidibe said recent data showed an increase in the number of new infections with 7,400 persons testing positive to HIV on a daily basis and that for two persons placed on Anti-Retroviral (ARV) drugs there are five new infections.
The UNAIDS helmsman called for reflection on the global agenda hinged on prevention, stating that "the only time we can say that we reached our aim is when we have lesser number of persons newly infected when compared to persons on treatment."
Describing the youths who are most affected as integral to global development, Sidibe urged world leaders to work towards the attainment of universal access to preventive methods as well as the treatment of HIV/AIDS.
He further warned that with the estimated 10 years needed to conclude work on the development of an HIV vaccine in Thailand, "this is not the time to do less or to do something else. Universal access is not about numbers but reaching those who need to be reached."
In his presentation at the AIDS summit, Nigeria's Minister for Health, Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin, advocated the feminisation of the global response to AIDS.
Represented by the National Co-ordinator of HIV/AIDS control in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Jide Coker, he said in a paper titled: "Promoting sustainable human and social development", that the UNAIDS reports indicated a high burden in mother- to- child transmission in Africa.
Poor health infrastructure and weak health systems of African countries were also identified as slowing down Africa's movement towards the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
He, however, added that since the 2001 Genoa Declaration and the adoption of the Group of Eight (G-8) Africa Development Plan, there has been significant improvement in the drive to eradicate polio as well as the control of HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria.
"Some progress has been made since the onset of the G-8 Africa dialogue but there is need to intensify action in many areas," he said.
Meanwhile the First Lady, Turai Yar'Adua, has attributed the rise of HIV/AIDS in the country to lack of knowledge due to the dearth of information.
Turai who spoke yesterday in Abuja at the public presentation of the book entitled: "Family/personal guide against HIV/AIDS", said that the book itself, which was holistic in manner, provided the necessary information about how families could deal with the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS.
Represented by the wife of the Deputy Senate President, Mrs. Beatrice Ekweremadu, Turai said "the fight against this disease should not be left to the government and the private sector alone", but that "this fight should be more of a common responsibility of individuals."
She, however, recommended the book for families, schools, organisation, persons and the generality of Nigerians.
Director-General, National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Prof. John Idoko, at the launch noted that people did not have the right information on how to protect themselves which has caused a rise in the disease.
He explained that the message must be taken down to the grassroots, adding that some of them were not even aware it existed.
He noted that "information is key to reducing the increase of the virus, which on the long run, will bring about behavioural change."
Treatment, Idoko said, is possible, but prevention, he added, was the key.
President, Human Resources Development Trust (HRDT) and the publishers of the book, Mr. Carl Okorie, pointed out that women made up to 67 per cent of the infected group adding that one of the major causes of the phenomenon was the lack of knowledge due to the dearth of information.
He said in the course of investigation, it was discovered that "most of the existing strategies adopted by stakeholders in the fight yield counter results due to misapplication and misinterpretation of information. And the shocking misinterpretation of the disease by students in the secondary schools made us understand why efforts by international organisation and government yielded no results."
Okorie noted that there was the need to strive more for thorough testing, improved education and prevention strategies.
