Tackling HIV/AID epidemic requires resources: Professor
Controlling an epidemic that currently has no cure or vaccine requires resources.
That is the view of Professor Sheila Tlou who is the United Nations Aids Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa in charge of 22 countries, from Eritrea to South Africa. Tlou addressed delegates on day one of the International Aids Economic Network being hosted in Durban.
The event is one of the pre-conferences underway ahead of the International Aids Conference which kicks off on Monday.
Tlou says devoting a portion of the national budget to health and HIV/AIDS is imperative. She says in her former position as Minister of Health in Botswana the country was able to bring down mother-to-child transmission from 40% to 8% within four years because of the resources invested.
"If we are going to fast track and have 90% of people around the world getting tested and knowing their their HIV status," she said.
"If they positive encourage all of them to get on treatment. Then they would be virally suppressed and cannot infect anyone else," Tlou said.
"We need more resources," she said.
(File photo)