Global crsis threatens HIV prevention, treatment gains in the Caribbean

The positive steps made by Caribbean countries in dealing with the HIV/AIDS epidemic could be reversed as a result of the global economic crisis, according to a report released by UNAIDS and the World Bank.



The report, \"The Global Economic Crisis and HIV Prevention and Treatment Programmes: Vulnerabilities and impact,\" said information from agency staff in 71 countries indicate that countries were already facing shortages of antiretroviral drugs or other disruptions to AIDS treatment, according to a report on cananews.net.



\"Together, these countries are home to more than 60 per cent of people worldwide receiving AIDS treatment,\" it said.



The report also said that HIV prevention programmes were also in jeopardy, with 75 per cent of people living with HIV in 34 countries seriously affected. These are primarily among high-risk groups such as sex workers, people who inject drugs and men who have sex with men.



It said that while there were no reports of substantial cuts in donor assistance for 2009, respondents in nearly 40 per cent of the surveyed countries reported that the current funding commitments for treatment programmes will end in 2009 or 2010.



The reports said that 22 countries in Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia and the Pacific fear that external assistance will not increase or even be maintained at current levels.



\"This evidence shows us that people on AIDS treatment could be in danger of losing their place in the lifeboat and bleak prospects for millions more people who are waiting to start treatment,\" said Joy Phumaphi, the World Bank\'s vice president for Human Development and a former Health Minister for Botswana.