Earthsky FC_POP, Interviews
Peter Piot: ‘Progress in African AIDS epidemic not enough’
07-27-2008 - Human World
That’s Peter Piot, executive director of UNAIDS and Under-Secretary General of the United Nations. He’s been on the front lines of the fight against AIDS in Africa for three decades.
Peter Piot: In terms of treatment, less than half of those in need in the world – and there are 7 million who need treatment – are on anti-retroviral therapy. That means if they don’t get access, they will die. We need to make sure also that we reach all those who need access to prevention.
Piot said the progress made so far has come from strong leadership — and money.
Peter Piot: Will the leadership continue? Because political leadership is a key factor in making sure there is money, there is a community mobilization.
Piot told EarthSky that sustainability in the AIDS campaign involves combating not just the disease itself, but also social causes at the root of the disease.
Peter Piot: Will we finally address what is driving this epidemic. For example, the inferior position of women in many countries, the fact that there are huge inequalities. These are questions for the future we have to address now.
Dr. Piot has also worked with other African diseases. For example, after graduating from medical school, he co-discovered the Ebola virus in Zaire in 1976.
Piot spoke of what he calls ’sustainability’ in the fight against AIDS.
Peter Piot: Sustainability means we need to take a long-term view and long-term action when it comes to AIDS now, not only dealing with the crisis today.
He spoke of a lack of resources for many African mothers.
Peter Piot: Only 1 in 10 mothers who are HIV positive have drugs to make sure they don’t transmit to their baby.
Our thanks to:
Dr. Peter Piot
Executive Director, UNAIDS
Under-Secretary General, United Nations
Image Photo: khym54
I read an article several weeks ago concerning the AIDS figures in Africa. The writer stated that the figures we see reported are not accurate, and are in fact inflated. It said that the reason for this was that the availability of genuine AIDS testing in Africa is very limited. Apparently over 70% of AIDS cases reported in Africa are not AIDS, but other common and easily treated illnesses such as the common cold or mild infections. According to the writer, most of the clinics which submit their diagnoses, are only equipped with a questionnaire which has a checklist of symptoms consistent with AIDS. These range from fatigue to headache, malaise, persistent cough etc. Should the patient’s symptoms match several of those on the questionnaire, then often they are given a conclusive diagnosis of AIDS, although an AIDS test has not and will not be administered, simply due to a lack of availability.
We should be careful of sending other peoples money to causes which are not fully investigated and verified. AIDS is the most preventable disease on the planet, it is a purely behavioral disease. More money has been spent on the treatment of this result of behavior than on other diseases which affect more of the worlds population and are not a result of behavior. Should we not stand back for a moment and weigh ALL the data we have before jumping to a rash conclusion?
Progess is not NEARLY enough. And it’s not just Aids in Africa. We need to focus much more resources towards dealing with ALL the OVERWHELMING problems in Africa.