Nearly 5 million people are living with HIV in Asia with 440,000 dying each year, a report by an independent commission said Wednesday.
The Commission on AIDS in Asia warned that even after two decades AIDS remains the most likely cause of death and work days lost among 15-44 years-olds in Asia.
PASSIVITET ER FOR DYRT
The study released Wednesday also said the overall number of infected people would likely double to 10 million by 2020 if prevention efforts are not implemented.
The costs of inaction are simply too high, said the chairman of the Commission on AIDS in Asia, Dr Chakravarthi Rangarajan.
Rangarajan’s report noted that last year, an estimated $1.2 billion (5,6 mia. d. kr.) was available for AIDS programs in Asia, while the amount needed ‘for an effective response’ was estimated at $6.4 billion (30,2 mia. d. kr.
TRE HOVED-RISIKOGRUPPER
The HIV epidemic in Asia is characterized by risky behavior among three groups, the commission found:
– commercial sex workers and their customers,
– injectable drug users
– men who have sex with men.
These groups should be the focus of prevention efforts to control HIV, Rangarajan said.
Kilde: www.worldbank.org
