The World Health Organisation, UNAIDS and UNICEF published a new report last week—“Towards Universal Access: scaling up priority HIV/AIDS interventions in the health sector”. The report shows that countries in every region of the world are making substantial progress in increasing access to HIV treatment. More than 1.3 million people in sub-Saharan Africa were receiving treatment in December 2006, representing coverage of approximately 28 per cent. of those in need compared to just 2 per cent. in 2003. Coverage in other regions varied, from 6 per cent. in North Africa and the Middle East, to 15 per cent. in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and 72 per cent. in Latin America and the Caribbean. Overall, while encouraging trends continue, just 28 per cent. of the estimated 7.1 million people in need of treatment in all low and middle income countries were receiving it in December 2006.
Substantial challenges remain, which is why DFID continues to work with Governments and the international community to help deliver a comprehensive response. DFID is committed to spending at least £1.5 billion on tackling the HIV and AIDS epidemics. In 2005-06 DFID spent £385 million tackling HIV and AIDS, an increase of nearly 30 per cent. on the 2004-05 figure of £298 million. The UK has committed £300 million to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria from 2002-08 including, £100 million for 2006 and the same for 2007 subject to performance. To date, Global Fund-financed programmes have provided treatment to over 600,000 people with AIDS. DFID is also committed to improving access to medicines and announced support of €20 million for UNITAID, the new drugs purchase facility established in September 2006, as part of a 20 year commitment, increasing to €60 million per year by 2010 subject to performance. Following its first two board meetings in October and November 2006 UNITAID has already approved several significant items of expenditure, including $61.7 million for paediatric anti-retroviral therapy (ART), $70 million for second line ART and $52.5 million for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria.