World unites to fight against AIDS

Students form the symbol of the AIDS ribbon to mark World AIDS Day in Shimla on December 1.

New figures released by the World Health Organisation and UNAIDS estimate that the number of new HIV infections have declined each year by about 17 per cent from 2001 to 2008, but for every five people infected, only two start treatment.

A volunteer from non-governmental organisation Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee, dressed as a bride, sits in a palki, during an HIV/AIDS intervention awareness campaign to mark World AIDS Day in Kolkata. The programme aims to encourage couples to undego blood tests before getting married and remain faithful to their spouses.

Nearly 2.7 million people were infected with HIV in 2009, according to figures released by the World Health Organisation and UNAIDS.

An AIDS awareness campaign at Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary Lake, nearly 60 km west of Ahmedabad.

The number of new HIV infections have declined each year by approximately 17 per cent from 2001 to 2008, says WHO. But the United Nations cautions that for every five people infected each year, only two start treatment.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee and Delhi's Chief Minister Sheila Dixit at the flag-off ceremony of the Red-Ribbon Express train to mark World AIDS Day in New Delhi. The train will travel across the country and halt in 152 stations to spread awareness on AIDS.

"Those hit the hardest by the epidemic, including the poor and marginalised, must have their fundamental right to essential health care and life, free from fear of stigma and discrimination," World AIDS Campaign Executive Director Marcel van Soest said.

UN employees form a ribbon during a World AIDS day event in front of the United Nation's European headquarters in Geneva.

Nearly four million people were receiving AIDS drugs at the end of 2008, said UN. However, an additional five million people who need treatment, have no access to it, said the world body.

Members of French association 'AIDES' hang a red ribbon on the Republic statue at the Place de la Republique in Paris to show their support in the fight against AIDS.

The global economic crisis has already hit HIV prevention and treatment programmes, warn activists. The global meltdown will affect 70 per cent of the people receiving treatment in Africa, according to a World Bank report.

HIV positive Thai transvestites perform for children of those dying of AIDS, at Wat Prabat Nampu Buddhist temple, in Lopburi, Thailand, on World AIDS Day. Thailand has been widely praised for its work in containing the virus. The number of new infections fell from a peak of around 140,000 a year in 1991 to 18,000 in 2005, according to UNAIDS. This remarkable achievement came about mainly because men used condoms more, and also reduced their use of brothels.

This year, World AIDS Day highlighted the connection between tackling the disease, addressing human rights abuses, gender inequity and violence against women. The UN has repeatedly emphasised that many people, living with the disease in areas most affected by it, have no access to treatment.

Mascots in the shape of a heart and a condom participate in a march during a campaign against HIV to mark World AIDS Day in Bangkok.

Reduced access to essential HIV services and commodities were occurring in many countries as a result of laws and policies that were inconsistent with their commitments to human rights, according to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

University students hold red ribbons during an HIV/AIDS awareness rally in Chengdu, Sichuan province in China.

Ban pointed out that where human rights were promoted to protect people living with HIV and members of vulnerable groups, there were fewer infections, less demand for antiretroviral treatment and fewer deaths.