Thirty
years ago, researchers first identified AIDS, and a global health
crisis was born. After more than three decades of destruction, we are
finally at a turning point and on a path to winning the war against
HIV/AIDS. We are now on the verge of an incredible and highly attainable
milestone -- virtually ending the transmission of HIV from moms to
their babies by the end of 2015. Achieving this milestone and a number
of other attainable goals can mark what the global health community is
calling "the beginning of the end of AIDS."
The
progress that has been made in recent years to fight the AIDS epidemic
has been astounding. What was once a death sentence because of
inaccessibility to treatment is now a disease that can be managed,
thanks to life-saving antiretroviral medication. More than six million
people are benefiting from this medication, the cost of which has
dropped dramatically through the efforts of the public and private
sectors. For the price of a U.S. postage stamp, people who are
HIV-positive can receive the daily treatment needed to regain their
strength and their opportunity at life.
More
than 1,000 children are born with the virus every day. The good news is
that the transmission of HIV from moms to their babies can now be
prevented. A multi-tiered approach involving HIV screening of pregnant
women, antiretroviral drug regimens for HIV-positive pregnant women,
treatment during and after labor, and infant feeding guidelines has been
shown to block mother-to-child transmission in up to 98% of cases. I
saw this firsthand when I recently visited two (RED)-supported clinics
in Ghana: the Tema Teaching Hospital and Korle Bu Clinic. There, I
witnessed the miraculous sight of HIV-positive mothers surrounded by
their HIV-negative babies.
The current Global Fund AIDS grant in Ghana receives over 50% of its
funding from (RED) and has helped support programs that have provided
more than 7,700 HIV-positive pregnant women with ARV prophylaxis to
reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission and established and
supported more than 800 centers for prevention of mother-to-child
transmission. By making this care accessible to more pregnant women, we
can virtually eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV by 2015. The
first AIDS-free generation in nearly 30 years is in sight.
Leaders
from across the aisle and from around the world have demonstrated
political and financial will to fight this disease. Governments have
stepped up with funding, as have non-governmental organizations, which
are working on the ground to educate and provide preventative and acute
care.
Significant
work still needs to be done. There are nearly nine million HIV-positive
people in need of treatment in low-and middle-income countries,
including 1.4 million HIV-positive pregnant women. More than 370,000
infants and children are infected with the virus each year. New HIV
infections still outpace the number of people gaining access to
treatment annually.
So,
we find ourselves at a critical juncture in the fight against AIDS - at
a time of both great opportunity and significant challenges. Innovative
financing solutions and the combined efforts of the public and private
sectors as well as individuals are all the more important in this
environment.
(RED)
serves as a model for how the private sector can help catalyze
meaningful change. To date, our partners have generated more than $180
million for the Global Fund, and over 7.5 million people in Africa
affected by HIV/AIDS have been impacted by Global Fund programs that
(RED) supports.
Our corporate partners have stepped up to play their part in the fight.
On World AIDS Day, we are asking everyone to take action to help deliver
an AIDS-free Generation by the end of 2015. Create a panel on our
2015QUILT and raise awareness amongst your friends. Buy a (RED) product this holiday season. Join ONE and press policymakers to act.
Working together, we can bring an end to AIDS. It's a remarkable, critical opportunity that we simply cannot afford to miss.
