As
researchers say they have reached a turning point in the battle against the
virus, more than 21,000 attendees were expected at an International AIDS
Conference in Washington D.C. starting this week.
It's a
calling card that many have come to expect. Ahead of this year's International
AIDS Conference in Washington, scientists believe they have truly arrived at a
turning point.
Not only
does this 19th gathering of experts in the field of HIV/AIDS research come soon
after the American approval to allow the use of an HIV treatment drug as a
prophylactic - but it also comes as some say they can see the first glimpses of
light at the end of the tunnel.
"For
the first time, I have a feeling that we're at the end of the AIDS
epidemic," says Dr Diane Havlir, a doctor at San Francisco General
Hospital and a co-chair of the XIX International AIDS Conference.
Turning the
tide
Starting
Sunday, researchers and other interested parties were gathering for a week of
meetings and presentations.
"Turning
the Tide Together" is the motto of this year's conference - it's a motto
that reflects Havlir's own efforts in the battle against AIDS.
Havlir has
researched and worked with HIV-infected patients since the beginning of the
AIDS epidemic in the 1980s.
She says
she has good reason for her new found hope.
"Over
the past three years, there has been a series of breakthroughs in HIV research
that will help us significantly reduce the number of new infections and deaths
from AIDS," says Havlir.
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| The world's top HIV/AIDS researchers are gathering in the US capital, Washington |
Drugs can
now prolong life for longer and some can even prevent infection - up to a
point. The US Food and Drug Administration this week approved the drug Truvada
for preventative use. In tests, the drug reduced the risk of infection by up to
75 percent.
Protection
against infection will be a major focus for the 25,000 participants at this
year's conference.
New
medicines, tests and treatments, as well as the ongoing search for a vaccine -
and ultimately, a cure - will be discussed in workshops and panels consisting
of researchers, doctors, policymakers and those living with the virus.
As
financial crises continue around the world, participants will also debate new
ways to finance HIV/AIDS research.
"It's
necessary to have continuous investments in times when the US and other
countries face major financial challenges," says Chris Collins, vice
president of amfAR, a US foundation for AIDS research.
Still an
upward battle
Some fear
the issue has lost its urgency in public debate.
"AIDS
has largely disappeared from the radar in the US and abroad," says Havlir.
"We are aware of this problem but it currently doesn't receive the
attention for us to take the necessary measures."
About 30
million people have died from AIDS worldwide.
Currently,
34 million people are known to be HIV-positive, but only 6 million are being
treated - it's a number that Havlir hopes will soon double.
Meanwhile,
Deborah von Zinkernagel, coordinator of the US AIDS Imitative in the US State
Department praises the collaboration with African states.
"One
example is South Africa where the government and civil society are very
committed because they realize what impact the epidemic has on their country,
but we also observe this in other countries such as Namibia and Botswana,"
says von Zinkernagel.
The
so-called war on AIDS is also a war for human rights around the world.
In 2009, US
President Barack Obama lifted a travel ban which had stopped HIV-infected
people from entering the country. This, in part, has allowed the bi-annual
conference to return to the US after an absence of 22 years.
Author: Christina Bergmann / jrb
Editor: Zulfikar Abbany
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