24 Hours to save HIV and AIDS promises as G8 threaten to downgrade treatment target
The G8's promise of achieving "as close as possible to Universal Access to AIDS Treatment by 2010", secured by the UK at the Gleneagles summit in 2005, is under threat - apparently from the US. A leaked draft of the communiqué - the statement issued by the G8 at the conclusion of the Summit - now includes a target of only 5 million people on treatment over the 'next few years'. This figure would cover just half of the 10 million people who will be in urgent need of treatment by 2010.
G8 leaders ponder a map of Africa dressed as doctors
John Kentish
The UK government insists it is resisting this dramatic cut in ambition. In Parliament yesterday the Prime Minister said the UK hopes to see the universal access promise reaffirmed in Germany.
“The commitment is to do that [provide universal access by 2010], and I hope that we will recommit to that at the G8 summit at Heiligendamm.”
On the current wording of the communiqué, the Primme Minister said
“We are trying to strengthen that language and put in some specifics, particularly in relation to HIV/AIDS treatment … As I saw for myself last week in South Africa , the possibility, if we expand the use of drugs for those people, is that we can save millions of lives, so we have to do so. It is precisely to achieve those types of commitments that we will go to the G8 and negotiate.”
What should be in the communique if the G8 are to keep their promises?
The G8 should:
Reduce the high prices of key HIV medicines by promoting generic drugs. Patent barriers need to be tackled to ensure that the drugs — particularly newer ‘2nd line treatments’ — are affordable for all. Currently the draft communiqué notes the issue but lacks concrete action, and has been watered down from previous drafts.
Agree a long-term, comprehensive funding plan to meet the resource needs of Universal Access. $23bn will be needed annually each year by 2010 to meet the promises on HIV and AIDS. In 2007, $18bn is required, and with only $10bn provided there will be a funding gap of $8bn this year, growing to a projected $10bn in subsequent years. So far the G8 communique contains no pledges of new money from the G8.
Invest in strengthening health systems and tackle the critical shortage of health workers. Over 4 million more health workers are needed worldwide to provide services for all. The issue is highlighted, yet the current communiqué commits to no substantive action. Ensure universal access to services preventing to mother to child transmissions (PMTCT). The communiqué commits to concentrating efforts to achieve Universal Access to PMTCT services by 2010, but currently allocates no money to do so.