In recognition of the International AIDS conference in Melbourne this week, an AIDS-themed edition of our regular Aid & Development Links. The conference opened yesterday with a minute's silence for the delegates lost in the MH17 disaster.
Firstly, the latest facts from UNAIDS Gap report for Asia and the Pacific:
- In 2013, there were 35 million people living with HIV. 4.8 million are in Asia and the Pacific.
- New HIV infections have fallen by 38% globally since 2001, but in Asia and the Pacific there were an estimated 350,000 new HIV infections.
- Indonesia is cause for concern, with new HIV infections rising by 48% since 2005.
- India accounts for 51% of all AIDS-related deaths in the region.
- In Asia and the Pacific, only in Thailand and Cambodia are more than 50% of people living with HIV on antiretroviral treatment
- Of the 35 million people living with HIV in the world, 19 million do not know their HIV-positive status. But as people find out, they seek life-saving treatment. For example, In sub-Saharan Africa, almost 90% of people who tested positive for HIV went on to access antiretroviral therapy.
AIDS analysis and readings:
- The Guardian reviews the status of recent claims of an AIDS 'cure'.
- Oilsearch’s role in partnering with the PNG Government on HIV prevention, testing, counseling and treatment services is an important model for developing countries.
- Dream of Ding Village, by Chinese author Yan Lianke, is a novel that offers a disturbing insight into the AIDS epidemic in China resulting from blood-selling.
Helpful AIDS 2014 Conference links:
- Get a daily email recap of conference proceedings.
- Conference website & agenda.
- Official Twitter feed: @AIDS_conference. There is also a You Tube channel and community radio station JOY 94.9.