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SINCE 1981, MORE than 60 million people have been infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and nearly 30 million have died of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), although it took them awhile to put a name of these conditions.
For many of a certain age, the death of Freddie Mercury in November 1991, just a day after he publicly announced he had AIDS, was a landmark moment in pop culture, but also a very real – and high-profile – human tragedy.
Thankfully, since then and especially from the mid 1990s, AIDS-related deaths began to decline largely due to the positive impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).
“AIDS-related deaths have fallen to lowest levels since the peak of the epidemic”
The November 2011 report by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS), released last week, shows that 2011 was monumental in the AIDS response with unprecedented progress in science, political leadership and results.
The report also shows that new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths have fallen to the lowest levels since the peak of the epidemic. New HIV infections were reduced by 21 per cent since 1997, and deaths from AIDS-related illnesses decreased by 21% since 2005. More good news: People living with HIV are also living longer and AIDS-related deaths are declining due to the lifesaving effects of antiretroviral therapy. At the end of 2010 estimates suggest that there were roughly:
Globally, over 7,000 new HIV infections per day were transmitted in 2010. About 1,000 were in children under 15 years of age. Prevention-of-mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) is now achievable in most countries and cost-effective.
There were 331 new HIV diagnoses reported in Ireland last year
Access to life saving anti-retroviral drugs has dramatically changed the lives of people living with HIV in Ireland since the early 1990s. HIV is ‘technically’ 100% preventable yet a total of 331 new HIV diagnoses (240 men and 89 women) were reported to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) during 2010. In addition, there were 54 cases of AIDS and 10 deaths among AIDS cases also reported to the HPSC during 2010.
There were 152 new HIV diagnoses in Ireland in Quarter 1&2 of 2011, which is less than the number reported in Q1&2 2010 (166) and Q3&4 2010 (164). The absolute number of newly diagnosed cases reported in the first half of this year suggests that the transmission of HIV in Ireland is on a downward trend. This is indeed good news.
However, looking at the Big Picture globally, there is no room for complacency.
The big ‘but’…
Recent global gains however are being threatened by lowered leadership, complacency and reduced investments in the global HIV and AIDS response.
Most of the recorded deaths since 1981 have been in the developing and poorest countries of the world.
It took until 2005 for the World Health Organisation, UNAIDS and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria to announce joint efforts to increase availability of antiretroviral drugs in developing countries.
Let’s look to one of the poorest countries where Concern Worldwide is working for some perspective. Mr. Emmanuel Ssegawa, HIV and AIDS Programme Advisor with Concern in Uganda tells us that from the Pader and Karamoja Districts where he is working, “HIV is not in recession”.
Despite the advances, women in developing countries are still at particular risk
Risk and vulnerability among extremely poor people, and inequality in particular, is increasing HIV infection among women.
There has been a lessening of leadership at all levels in recent years as treatment has expanded, and Emmanuel argues that “re-engaging leadership for effective HIV prevention” is more critical now than ever given the downturn in HIV programme investment due to the global economic recession.
“We cannot lose the gains made in saving lives in Uganda from AIDS. Too many people have died in this country. Sustained investment and investment in the right way by government and donors can prevent future deaths,” he says.
Concern has been working globally on the HIV and AIDS response since the 1980s with an overall strategic objective to reduce HIV incidence, and to minimise the impact of HIV and AIDS among people living in extreme poverty.
In 2010 Concern’s HIV and AIDS response programmes with local partners were active in nine countries reaching 359,416 direct beneficiaries and 1.2 million indirect beneficiaries.
In Uganda in 2009, it was reported that hunger-vulnerable HIV-positive patients abandoned taking their ARVs. An estimated 11.6 million people are currently struggling for basic nutrition and sanitation in the humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa – and experts have warned that this situation could have a serious effect on the health of people undergoing HIV treatment.
The worst drought in 60 years has led to large-scale food scarcity, which is a well-known barrier to antiretroviral (ARV) effectiveness. ARVs increase the appetite and a lack of food has been known to worsen the side-effects.
Additionally, HIV-positive mothers may have to feed their children with a mixture of solid food and breast milk, thereby increasing the risk of transmission.
The number of sexual assault and rape cases also increases in refugee camps as regular societal and legal protection systems break down. With that, the risk of new HIV infections also rises.
The official theme for World AIDS Day 2011 is: Zero New HIV Infection, Zero Discrimination, and Zero AIDS Related Deaths.
We’ve been working with local government and NGO partners in these overseas locations and, supported by our donors, can contribute effectively to these ‘zero goals’.
Every child born today in 2011 has a right to be born HIV free, and to live a HIV free life.
Well targeted and monitored HIV investment can save lives.
Breda Gahan is Concern’s Senior HIV Adviser.
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Air horns in Court, stay classy……..
@Sean Higgins:
This fight is over But the battle is not won someplace somewhere this battle will raise it’s ugly head again
@Alan Scott: What battle? The fact that the supports have no respect for a court setting. There is no battle just a lack of at the very least manners
@Kal Ipers: Oh, the battle is still very much on. The government are forcing through charges by the back door.
@Kal Ipers: lack of manners…wow….bang them up
@Dan: lack of respect is what has areas like Tallaght, Ballymun, Darndale etc in the state they are in. Basic respect and manners costs nothing.
@Ciaran Whyte: yes..but at this time I believe its not against the law. I try to give and hope that my family have manners but I in this case. These folks were brought to task and found not guilty yet some people are annoyed with their supporters and lack of manners. There were more parts of this case that need to be examined going forward
@Dan: Relax. They got cleared and are going home to their mammies, they can take a little slagging about their harmless but laughable lack of decorum. Lets us taxpayers feel at least we got some entertainment value for all the legal aid we’ve forked out.
@Ne: I’d be more concerned with the money the DPP, obviously acting on behalf of the government, wasted pursuing these cases than the money spent on innocent people trying to defend themselves against those willing to perjure themselves to get the result they wanted. Innocent people have a right to celebrate a victory in the face of such obvious corruption, collusion and conspiracy…
@Sean Higgins:
Right to celebrate. Lol.
@Kal Ipers:
You are sad.
A great victory has been achieved by these defendants, we are not fooled by your deflective tactic of focusing on your upper class etiquette.
Celebratory behavior like this is part and parcel of the lives of us ordinary and real Irish people, something I would not expect you to know anything about, of course
You have learned well at the foot of your master, Vlad, who used similar tactics in the Dail with Mary Lou, to take the spotlight off the banks not having to pay tax for the next 20 years, but we are not fooled.
The war is not over and we will continue to fight for the total abolition of the water charges
@Kal Ipers: Manners, lol. Do you think committing perjury is bad manners?
@Dan: is that not the case when anybody is found not guilty or charges are dropped. Why are these people more special than others. Are others a little guilty so it’s ok and these guys are just innocents?
@Ryan: I’d be more concerned about what’s causing the type of paranoia that’s apparent in your reply there, and what other harm it might be doing to your health, happiness and well being. Please take care of yourself.
@Ne: I’m very relaxed…i was answering a question that someone asked above…the effort required did not cause any issue for me….cheers
@Con Murphy: speak for yourself . I’m an ordinary and real Irish person and that kind of celebratory behaviour is not something I would associate myself with .
@Suzie Sunshine:
Fine Suzie, but we know you are not on our side on the water tax issue,so obviously you would not celebrate this result.
However I am not a fan of the gentrification of our culture either. When we have a victory against the oppressors it is important to celebrate and let them know in forceful manner..
@Con Murphy: I am completely against this water tax so I don’t know where you got that from ..again to celebrate as you call it in a forceful manner is nothing short of embarrassing. There’s no need for it .
@Suzie Sunshine: i think its deadly. Bualadh Bos the lads!!!
*insert bad mannered commoner type celebratory expletives here*
@Kal Ipers: If there was sufficient evidence, the charges wouldn’t have been dropped. It was a fit up. The cops had an agenda. Unfortunately for that agenda, the protestors had video evidence. Hence the charges were dropped. Why should the supporters respect the court setting?
@Sean Higgins: stay classy ? Innocent people who were standing up for their right, their communities rights, even your rights, dragged through the courts for almost 3 years. I was one of the group wh9 had to endure a nine week trial. Too bloody right we would celebrate in court. It was a victory for the REAL PEOPLE, not jumped up snobs like you and Burton !!!
What a waste of court time and resources . Shame on Joan Burton
@Mary Mc Carthy: The decision to prosecute or not would have had little to do with Joan Burton.
@Mary Mc Carthy:
DPP takes cases, not the individual.
Why should she be ashamed?
For sitting in a car receiving vile abuse?
@Reg: you really think so
@Thomas Harrington: You think senior lawyers in the office of the DDP are told what to do by politicians? Don’t you think they might make it public if they did? And then what for the politician? Their career would be over or severely damaged. It could quite possibly happen….but what are the chances of it actually happening?
@Mary Mc Carthy: like her or not Joan Burton was democratically elected by the people of this country. Those involved in blocking her in have no respect for democracy.
@Mary Mc Carthy: Mary, you are a moron.
@Conor Power: What way did you vote in the last election yourself conor?
@Reg: Sure Reg sure we all believe that……………
@Derek Poutch: There are some that like the grand conspiracy theory and there are those that think the simpler explanation is more believable!
@Mary Mc Carthy: Shame on you for thinking their behaviour was acceptable …
@Conor Power: No Conor she has no respect for democracy, she was voted in on certain policies and then implemented the opposite when voted in. Plus she was never blocked in , the police car could have reversed with the smiling Joan anytime at all.
@Reg: I see your one of those. I on the other hand would judge them on their past actions of lying and covering up of their deeds wherein burton has plenty of history.
@Reg: I,d say it does happen Reg, if enough gravy was coming their way why would they make it public?
@Reg:
Are you sure of that,wasn’t the last AG a labour appointee! Another wonderful example of Labour “feminism”.
And now the protesters can put it behind them and get back to their jobs!
@Cathal: jobs? Really?
@Ciaran Whyte: Come on. I even gave you an exclamation mark to try emphasise the sarcasm
@Ciaran Whyte: I know for a fact that one of the former suspects has a nixer as a member of Dáil Eireann
Get the cider and ciggies in it’s time for a party!
Our poor old ex tanaiste should bear the brunt of court costs. Waste of tax payers money. My previous comment which mentioned iPhone moan by name was deleted so we’ll try again..
@Hardly Normal: DPP brought the charges..
@Suzie Sunshine: maybe so but they all got off bar one who smashed a cop car window.. Who really had the DPP prosecute them? Remember Tusla and Maurice McCabe? I’d like a public enquiry myself conducted by a completely independent agency, ideally from outside the country.
It has come @ a cost tho . A cost of a life . That may be small justice for the Preston family but will never bring back their loss . What I want to know is what involvement did Joan have with noirin Sullivan ? Why did gardai lie on oath how are they let get away with doing such likewise with Joan lots need to be answered.
@Keith: two of them are best of buds I’d say..
Great stuff, now back to helping the bus drivers and commuters with their struggles against anti social behaviour.
The charge of “falsely imprisoning” ( kidnapping ) by the DPP was a joke
it was never going to fly, just a waste of time and money by the state.
Great stuff. An absolute sham if ever there was one.
If we can take anything from this debacle, at least it laid bare how the powers that be operate in this filthy little state.
@The Risen: if you feel so bad about your “filthy” country, why don’t you find a clean state to live in
@Bob Tallent: Oh, I’m quite happy to stay here and look at the support of the partys who have wrecked this state since day ones support drop each passing election.
@The Risen: As a civil/ public servant, it’s ironic that this “filthy little state” bankrolls your life. Surely your time would be more morally aligned, and politically righteous, if you freed yourself from the generous wages/eventual pension of a state you despise. Are you the equivalent of SF up North, who demand Brits out but feast on a limitless banquet of Sterling? :)
@The Risen: Shame you won’t be around to see your party actually elected to govern the country.
@Honeybadger197:
Reparations for many centuries of oppression. Needed to rebuild lives destroyed ,and our country after all the depredations of Empire.
I’m all for people’s right to demonstrate but what happened in Jobstown was just plain thuggery. This was no peaceful demonstration. While I am not a fan of Joan Burton what happened to her was a disgrace. Mob violence has no place in our society
@Ciaran Kehoe: But according to the jury and court there was no thuggery or false imprisonment? How do you explain that or do you only cherry pick verdicts that concur to your own views??
I still hope the guards who lied are done for obstruction of justice and perjury and lose their jobs full stop. Thank god this circus is over. They should never have been in court in the first place
About time..
justice done now drop the charges against the 17 year old
An absolute joke… forget about the politics involved, who was involved.. everyone has a right to protest, but to do what these tough guys did to 2 women in a mob mentality, plus their aggression and disrespect to An Garda Siochana is grounds enough for a custodial sentence alone. And then for their “supporters” to let off air horns in a courtroom which upholds the law of our land and disrespect the courtroom and judge as if this was a carnival or some kip pub that these yokes frequent… enough said…..
@Michael Wynne:The joke is you making claims about what happened after all the charges were dismissed after those charged were found not guilty. So how do you square that with your claim for a custodial sentence?
@Kerry Blake: the fact the charges were dropped does not excuse or make what happened right. The complexities of the law and the charges brought forward against these people were flawed. That is the fault of the criminal justice system. However, there is no doubt that these people were involved and contributed to the aggression shown towards both the women involved and Gardai present. There isn’t a specific law for being a p rick, if there was…each and every one was guilty
@Michael Wynne:
Over 80 guards present while Joan laughed on the phone to her moan circle, helpless female victim, I don’t think so.
@Michael Wynne:
Celebrate good times ..come on…!
@Con Murphy: yeah, it is most certainly a thing to celebrate. They must be so proud of how they acted in a mob mentality, swearing and acting like deranged animals. Yeah, Tanaiste Burton was having a right auld laugh and having the craic while the yobs outside were baying. 2 Gardai or 82 Gardai, it still is a very unpleasant situation for them also. They also have families, a fact a lot of people sometimes forget. They aren’t just a number and uniform. Watch the videos or clips again. Look at the aggression, mad eyes and actions of people in this “peaceful” protest. Listen to the words used.
These imbeciles should have been sentenced for false imprisonment. Everyone has the right to peaceful protest but what they did to Joan Burton, even though I’m not her biggest fan by any means, was a disgrace.
@Daniel Donovan: Apparently you don’t agree with the court and jury findings that there was no false imprisonment? You’d get on well with ISIS – if you don’t agree with the court take matters into your own hands?
Good. It’s all water under the bridge.
That will make people ask now who was pals with whom to allow this to all happen? And people will come up with some angry ideas from it?
have your say