World AIDS Day targets ‘Getting to Zero’

30/11/2011 | World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day tomorrow (1 December) is about “Getting to Zero”. That is: Zero new HIV Infections, Zero discrimination, and Zero AIDS-related deaths.

Backed by the United Nations the “Getting to Zero” campaign runs until 2015, and builds on last year’s successful World AIDS Day “Light for Rights” initiative encompassing a range of vital issues identified by key affected populations.

World AIDS Campaign Africa Director, Linda Mafu says: “The potential for creative, connected and meaningful campaigning is really exciting. “Our organisation will focus on Zero AIDS-related deaths, but the choice is there for others to pick a different zero, or all three.”

The World AIDS Campaign focus on “Zero AIDS-related deaths” signifies a push toward greater access to treatment for all; a call for governments to act now. A demand they honour promises like the Abuja declaration, and that African Governments at the very least hit agreed targets for domestic spending on health and HIV in support of the human right to the best attainable level of healthcare for all.

It’s a global campaign that spotlights how our fundamental right to health is intrinsically and inextricably linked to other basic rights – The right to food, to shelter, to freedom, to clean water and safety. Crucial too is access to affordable lifesaving quality medicines free from the crippling effects of excessive profit taking.

In the coming months the World AIDS Campaign will be spotlighting a range of Getting to Zero initiatives to help see an end to AIDS-related deaths.

MidCentral MDHB sexual health spokesperson Dr Anne Robertson said: “For a country like New Zealand, where there is good access to treatment, late diagnosis and presentation with AIDS defining illnesses is often still a problem.

“Issues of discrimination and lack of information about the improved outlook with current treatments are often barriers to early testing. Early diagnosis and treatment leads to decreased transmission.”

Ms Mafu says: “It’s going to be amazing decision-makers need to understand that people living with HIV, the marginalised, the dispossessed – all of us – want our rights. “I can see all sort of events on World AIDS Day - For example, marches that end in Light for Rights-type actions outside Finance Ministries where beams of torchlight shine on buildings where underspending on HIV and health cost thousands of lives. It’s time to use our imaginations and let everyone know Getting to Zero is a must.”

There are 10 United Nations goals to reach by 2015:

Sexual transmission of HIV reduced by half, including among young people, men who have sex with men and transmission in the context of sex work;
Vertical transmission of HIV eliminated and AIDS-related maternal deaths reduced by half;
All new HIV infections prevented among people who use drugs.
Universal access to antiretroviral therapy for people living with HIV who are eligible for treatment;
TB deaths among people living with HIV reduced by half;
All people living with HIV and households affected by HIV are addressed in all national social protection strategies and have access to essential care and support.
Countries with punitive laws and practises around HIV transmission, sex work, drug use or homosexuality that block effective responses reduced by half;
HIV-related restrictions on entry, stay and residence eliminated in half of the countries that have such restrictions;
HIV-specific needs of women and girls are addressed in at least half of all national HIV responses;
Zero tolerance for gender-based violence.