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Global HIV/AIDS investments currently insufficient
Dorcas continuously works to relief the suffering of those infected and affected by HIV and to prevent new infections. Despite these and other efforts, the UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon has again stressed that the world is falling behind in its pledge to reduce HIV/AIDS infections and improve treatment. Critical challenges remain, including inadequate funding, and the UN's HIV/AIDS targets for 2015 may not be met.
Sub-Saharan Africa remains most heavily affected, and Dorcas supports HIV/AIDS projects mostly in countries in this region, which are hard hit by the epidemic, such as Kenya and South Africa. However, supported projects are not limited to this region. Also projects are implemented in other areas such as Russia and Ukraine, two countries in Eastern Europe where HIV incidence is increasing rapidly.
Projects undertake different activities to reach out to those infected, affected and those at risk for HIV infection. Awareness campaigns are held in communities, schools etc. to educate people about the existence of the disease and how to prevent transmission and peer educators are trained to do preventive work. Further, care and support is provided to AIDS patients and their families. Home based care is given to patients that are seriously ill, people are helped to gain access to medical treatment and other practical and material support, such as school fees for the children and chances to start income generating activities, are provided.
Despite the efforts undertaken by many individuals and organizations including Dorcas, not enough progress is made to reach the sixth milennium development goal. Still many people don't have access to necessary treatment and many new infections happen every day. "It will be impossible to achieve global targets without sufficient financial resources," Ban said last week. Therefore, Dorcas calls upon organizations, governments and individuals to join the continuing fight against HIV.
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| Wednesday, 2 May 2012 |
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