More HIV care needed for poor countries

A new report says only a third of people worldwide who need life-saving HIV drugs are actually getting treated.  Life-saving HIV medicine World leaders had pledged to achieve universal access to HIV medication by the end of this year - but that target won't be met.

After examining HIV/AIDS progress in 144 countries last year, the report reveals that:
80% of HIV-positive pregnant women are receiving HIV/AIDS services. Included in those countries are Guyana, South Africa and Botswana. These services, as well as helping the mother, protect the baby from mother-to-child HIV transmission.

Over 80% of HIV-positive needy children are receiving HIV treatment in 14 nations, including Ukraine, Namibia and Brazil. Universal HIV/AIDS healthcare access has been achieved in 8 countries, including Cuba, Cambodia and Rwanda.

Countries in all parts of the world are demonstrating that HIV/AIDS universal access is achievable. But globally, it remains an unfulfilled commitment. And we must join forces to make it a worldwide reality in the coming years.The joint report is by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the UN's AIDS programme and UNICEF.

Overall, Tuesday's "Towards Universal Access" report shows steady increases in the number of people taking lifesaving antiretroviral treatment last year, to a record 5.2 million in poor and middle-income countries.

Still, only a third of people in need can get the drugs and most people living with HIV don't know it, the report concludes - and it warns that the economic crisis could imperil even these treatment gains if investments in the global fight from poor and rich countries alike falter.