Spotlight being turned from HIV and AIDS 'bad news for South Africa'
08/02/2010
A shift in attention away from the risks of HIV and AIDS could result in millions more people becoming infected by the virus, it has been warned.
Alan Whiteside, director of the health economics and HIV and AIDS research division (HEARD) at South Africa's Kwazulu Natal University, told Reuters that nations are not implementing measures which could help them in the long-term battle against the disease.
With the rate of people in countries like Botswana, Namibia and Malawi still suffering from high rates of infection, he warned it is dangerous for other nations to consider the plight as having been "ticked off".
It is estimated by the United Nations that 33.4 million people worldwide suffer from HIV, with sub-Saharan Africa being the worst affected region, accounting for 67 per cent of all people affected.
Mr Whiteside's statement follows the news that South Africa is to lose out on funding from the US over the next five years, AllAfrica.com reported last month.
Written by John Curtis
