Hiv/Aids Position of Mali
World Health Organization Mali
HIV/AIDS
Mali’s Position and Solutions to HIV/AIDS
1. Background: The acquired immune deficiency (AIDS) is the final stage of a group of symptoms that cause destruction to the immune system cells by a retrovirus. There are a number of retroviruses that can cause AIDS with each affecting different species. The most common among the human population is known as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). There are three separate ways of transmitting HIV - through unprotected and unsafe sex; injecting and transfusing infected blood into others, and passing it from a mother to child. In 1985, the first case of HIV/AIDS was reported. Today, it is estimated that about 34 million people around the world are infected with the deadly virus. In addition, 22.9 million of these people, or two thirds of the inflicted population, live in the region known as Sub-Saharan Africa. The average life expectancy of the Sub-Saharan African region has reached as low as fifty-four years of age, and forty-nine in certain countries, such as South Africa. Specifically, in Sub-Saharan Africa, many people don’t know what HIV/AIDS is, how it is transmitted, and that there is treatment for them if they are infected. This enormous increase of HIV/AIDS infection over the past decade has taken a dramatic toll on the economy of Africa as a whole. The epidemic has not only affected the health sector, but also the education agriculture, transport, industry and human resources sectors as well. Another one of the major issues brought upon by this epidemic is the fact that in 2010 alone, 14.8 million children have lost at least one of their parents to HIV/AIDS. Many people around the world are offering their assistance to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS through providing medical treatment, distributing condoms, and educating people of the risks of unprotected sex.
2. UN Involvement: UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, describes HIV/AIDS as the “silent killer,”
HIV/AIDS
Mali’s Position and Solutions to HIV/AIDS
1. Background: The acquired immune deficiency (AIDS) is the final stage of a group of symptoms that cause destruction to the immune system cells by a retrovirus. There are a number of retroviruses that can cause AIDS with each affecting different species. The most common among the human population is known as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). There are three separate ways of transmitting HIV - through unprotected and unsafe sex; injecting and transfusing infected blood into others, and passing it from a mother to child. In 1985, the first case of HIV/AIDS was reported. Today, it is estimated that about 34 million people around the world are infected with the deadly virus. In addition, 22.9 million of these people, or two thirds of the inflicted population, live in the region known as Sub-Saharan Africa. The average life expectancy of the Sub-Saharan African region has reached as low as fifty-four years of age, and forty-nine in certain countries, such as South Africa. Specifically, in Sub-Saharan Africa, many people don’t know what HIV/AIDS is, how it is transmitted, and that there is treatment for them if they are infected. This enormous increase of HIV/AIDS infection over the past decade has taken a dramatic toll on the economy of Africa as a whole. The epidemic has not only affected the health sector, but also the education agriculture, transport, industry and human resources sectors as well. Another one of the major issues brought upon by this epidemic is the fact that in 2010 alone, 14.8 million children have lost at least one of their parents to HIV/AIDS. Many people around the world are offering their assistance to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS through providing medical treatment, distributing condoms, and educating people of the risks of unprotected sex.
2. UN Involvement: UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, describes HIV/AIDS as the “silent killer,”