HIV/AIDS in developing countries

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. This virus breaks down the body’s immune system.

Without the protection against infection and disease, HIV causes people to become sick with infections that wouldn't normally affect them. If it is left untreated HIV can lead to the disease AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).

Sub-Saharan Africa remains the most affected area

At the end of 2015, there were 36.7 million people worldwide living with HIV. Sub-Saharan Africa remains the most affected area with nearly 1 in every 25 adults living with HIV.

In the hardest-hit countries, girls account for more than 80% of all new HIV infections among adolescents. Globally adolescent girls and young women (15-24 years) are twice as likely as males of the same age to be at risk of HIV.

Access to drugs and health services makes a difference

There is progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

In 2016, 17.3 million people living with HIV had access to anti-retroviral therapy and fewer people are dying of AIDS-related illnesses.

In 2015, 1.1 million people died from AIDS-related causes worldwide, compared to 2 million in 2005. There was a 45% decrease in new infections between 2000 and 2015.

This progress is largely due to advances such as:

scaled-up access to new drugs and treatments
improved access to health services through stronger health systems
effective prevention programs and public awareness campaigns

Canada is active in the global response to HIV/AIDS. We recognize the need to increase efforts to achieve universal access to HIV prevention measures, treatment, care and support.

Hard numbers show results on the ground

UNAIDS (the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS) is the lead multilateral organization coordinating the global HIV/AIDS response. UNAIDS brings together the efforts and resources of 11 United Nations organizations, 22 member states as well as civil society representatives involved in the HIV/AIDS response. Canada has contributed over $100 million to UNAIDS since its inception in 1996. With the support of Canada and other donors, the co-sponsors of the Joint Programme contributed to the following in 2015:

The World Health Organization rolled out guidelines on key populations affected by HIV/AIDS in all regions and produced a guide to help countries to plan, develop and monitor services.
UNFPA supplied 686.8 million male condoms and 14.7 million female condoms.
71% of 97 UNFPA-supported countries maintained adequate supplies of condoms in their inventories and experienced no out- of-stock periods.
The UNAIDS Secretariat, together with UNDP, UN Women, UNFPA and UNICEF are collaborating on a campaign to end adolescent AIDS.

In research led by the World Health Organization overt five-thousand mother-infant pairs were enrolled in studies and a cumulative total of 3,399 health care workers were trained in three countries: Malawi, Nigeria and Zimbabwe since the inception of the project between 2011 and 2016.

Working towards the 90-90-90 goal

Canada works closely with its United Nations partners in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

For example, Canada has provided ongoing financial support to UNAIDS since its inception in 1996. Canada works with UNAIDS and its partners to fast-track efforts to meet the ambitious 90-90-90 treatment targets.

The goal is that:

90% of all people living with HIV know their HIV status
90% of all people with diagnosed HIV infection receive sustained antiretroviral (ARV) therapy
90% of those receiving ARV therapy have a viral suppression

Canada also works toward the ultimate goal of eliminating HIV/AIDS by 2030. Steps to achieve this goal include promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights and addressing the unmet needs of adolescent girls in the global HIV/AIDS response.

Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria

Canada has supported the Global Fund since its inception in 2002, with more than $2.9 billion in commitments. With the support of donors such as Canada, the Global Fund has achieved tremendous results:

10 million people are receiving life-saving antiretroviral treatment for HIV/AIDS
Close to 5.3 billion condoms were distributed
509 million HIV/AIDS counselling and testing sessions were conducted
3.6 million HIV-positive pregnant women received antiretroviral drugs preventing HIV transmission to their infants
Nearly 7.9 million orphans and vulnerable children received basic care and support services

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