New alliance to end AIDS in children in Africa

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) statement, representatives of 12 African countries met in Tanzania to ensure that all children infected with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), which causes AIDS, and carrier mothers of HIV with children who have not yet contracted the virus, can access the necessary treatment determined new roadmaps.

Twelve countries where AIDS is common, such as Botswana, Angola, Cameroon, South Africa and Zimbabwe, have unanimously adopted the Dar es Salaam Declaration.

The plan aims to detect the virus with early testing and initiate appropriate treatment, expedite treatment in pregnant and lactating mothers and prevent transmission, and remove social barriers to treatment services.

With the work carried out by the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the aim is to end AIDS in children by 2030.

According to UN figures, while 1 child dies of AIDS every 5 minutes in the world, only 52 percent of children have access to treatment that could save their lives.

It is estimated that the number of children infected with HIV in 2021 is around 160,000. (AA)