AIDS leaders call on advocates to join together to fight AIDS and TB in Melbourne
The 2014 International AIDS Conference in Melbourne concluded on 25th July with a renewed commitment by the AIDS community to unite efforts against AIDS and TB. Addressing the 14,000 delegates attending the conference during the opening ceremony, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé said “We cannot run away from the TB epidemic among people with HIV. All our efforts to keep people with HIV alive will be lost if they die from TB.”
The conference featured the launch of a new report on 22nd July by the ACTION global health partnership evaluating donor’s implementation of joint HIV-TB programs in line with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendations.
The report recognized the leadership of the Global Fund to Fights AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and PEPFAR in implementing joint HIV-TB policies, while noting that other donors have been slow to implement the policies recommended by WHO. Dr Joanne Carter, Vice-Chair of the Stop TB Partnership Board, noted that despite TB killing 1 in 5 people living with HIV, many HIV programs are failing to prioritize joint HIV-TB programs that are essential to further progress.
Dr. Mark Dybul, Executive Director of the Global Fund, said at the report launch, “The reality is that in Sub-Saharan Africa, HIV and tuberculosis are one disease. We must address them together.”
Former U.S. President President Bill Clinton also highlighted the importance of integrating HIV and TB services during his keynote address, citing a 97% reduction of TB cases in a project in Vietnam that increased availability of AIDS and tuberculosis medicines at health centres.
The conference featured over 30 sessions, press conferences and workshops on joint HIV-TB topics - a record number reflecting the growing international momentum to increase collaboration among HIV and TB programs. Sessions were organized by the Stop TB Partnership, WHO, The World Bank, RESULTS, TB Alliance, Aeras, TAG and others. The TB-HIV Networking Zone was another highlight, joining together TB and AIDS advocates for the first time at an AIDS conference. More information on the Stop TB Partnership’s activities can be viewed here.
