HIV/AIDS News Update #2
President Bush is visting Africa. Since 2003, the United States has spent $15 Billion dollars in an effort to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS. Currently, Bush is asking the U.S. congress for and additional $30 billion dollars.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7247370.stm
*Edit* Here is another link about the failure of an anti-HIV gel for women.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/18/MNH9V2LUT.DTL&type=health
March 4th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
South Africa thinks that the United States has contributed greatly to the prevention of the spread of HIV/AIDS, however giving $15 billion isn’t enough to fight against AIDS. It was projected to required approximately $22 billion in 2008. Thus, we are relieved and thankful that the President is requesting the $15 billion to double to contribute to the prevention of HIV/AIDS.
March 5th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Katherine Koplovich and Emily Way representing South Africa.
After reading this article, we believe that it is great news if Congress of the United States doubled the current funding from the United States. The projected required funding for 2008 for HIV/AIDS in Africa is $22 billion, thus, it would be very beneficial not only to South Africa, but Africa in general to double the current funding. Funding is a very successful avenue to prevent HIV/AIDS, using the money for research centers, and anti-retroviral treatments.
March 5th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Maricruz Rodriguez and Noelle Evangelista representing Germany.
Research has shown that information is not enough. It is not enough to provide sex education to youth without giving them the proper access to medical centers. Germany, in fact, would like to promote community involvement and local initiatives. In many cases, there is no proper infrastructure in underdeveloped countries. We must change this.
It is also not enough to create anti-retroviral drugs. These drugs need to be available for EVERYONE at an affordable price. With this in mind, Germany is eager to understand how a country such as Brazil can effectively provide cheap medication. As a developed country, Germany hopes to do the same.
We can’t wait until next week to discuss these ideas in committee!
March 6th, 2008 at 11:49 am
We are so excited to discuss these issues and many more in committee!!! So excited to meet all of the delegates and talk about improving the situation of HIV/AIDS and Migration in Women!
March 7th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Refferring back to the comment made by Germany.
Our government is trying our best to provide HIV positive patients with the needed drugs. We are doing our best to get good offers and deals with the stake holders and drug companies. In 1996, the Brazilian Minister of Health along with the Government of Brazil originated a policy to supply antiretroviral drugs to people living with HIV/AIDS for free. In 2001, we spent $232 million on antiretroviral drugs to treat more than 100,000 patients. Approximately 80% of our country’s HIV/AIDS budget is allocated to treatment.
Dear Delegates of Germany,
We hope the passage above helps you provide the necessary treatment for your people as well. We are very eager to help other nations find a solution to help to solve this problem once and for all.
March 8th, 2008 at 10:58 am
Thank you for all of your interesting and well researched comments. Here are a few questions:
South Africa: What are the other paths to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS?
Germany: You made an excellent point about local initiatives. What exactly did you have in mind?
Brazil: Your country has been active in the fight against HIV/AIDS and provides a great example for what other nations can do. What are your plans/ideas to help other nations implement similar programs?
March 13th, 2008 at 12:50 am
Education is the key to many issues; studies and research has shown that those who have HIV/AIDS are not even aware of what it is or that they had it. We should be implementing better education systems that allow local civilians to be aware of what is going on so that they will practice being more safe; furthermore, the UN should provide testing for all local areas so that civilians will feel more pressured to protect themselves and others, as well as taking safety precautions through medication.
Funding will become a big source of problem, therefore the UAE urges large nations with sufficient funds to help toward this cause.