Coronavirus and AIDS

Economy, health and education are among the significant sectors that the long-persisting coronavirus pandemic has affected the most. On World AIDS Day, the United Nations has expressed dismay that the global efforts to fight AIDS/HIV have suffered a setback as the targets set for 2020 have widely been missed. Five years ago, the UN member states were optimistic about ending AIDS by 2030, but the present situation has dampened this optimism. According to the world body report, in 2019, AIDS killed 700,000 people worldwide and 1.7 million new HIV infections had been registered. It has described this situation unacceptable saying this has happened even when remedies and preventions from these diseases are affordable. The UN linked this anomaly to countries’ failure to make the required level of investment in the health sector and effect other necessary changes.

The report says the coronavirus pandemic has shown interconnectedness of countries, and hence the need for global cooperation in health, economy and other fields. It has urged greater cooperation among nations to combat AIDS/HIV in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic in view of the fact that those suffering from serious diseases are more vulnerable to contracting the coronavirus disease. UN member states had decided to bring down the new HIV infections to 500,000 among adults by 2020, a 75% reduction from 2010. By 2019, a mere 23% cut was achieved. The reduction rate, however, varies from country to country. The UN has called for better treatment facilities for children suffering from AIDS, as last year 320,000 children died of the disease worldwide.

Pakistan has performed unsatisfactorily against HIV/AIDS. In 2019, new HIV infections registered an increase of 74% — 69% male, 21% female and children comprising the rest. In Pakistan, 183,705 people are estimated to be living with HIV. Of these, 91% are in Punjab and Sindh. Karachi has the highest number of people infected with HIV followed by Faisalabad and Lahore.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 2^nd, 2020.

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