Clinton's comments cause for optimism
AFAO Media Release | 10 November 2011
The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations has strongly endorsed US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s ambition to create an AIDS free generation and has called on the Australian government to join with the US.
“Australia has led support for the HIV response in the Pacific, Papua New Guinea and South East Asia. This is a call to build on that support for this major goal” said Rob Lake, Executive Director
Secretary of State Clinton delivered a keynote speech in Washington on Tuesday, outlining plans to achieve “a generation without AIDS”.
The US Secretary of State announced $60 million funding for combination prevention programs in sub-Saharan Africa and called on the international community to devote more money to the Global Fund for Aids, TB and Malaria. She also announced the appointment of Ellen DeGeneres as US Government Global HIV Envoy.
Hillary Clinton’s vision and leadership provide a real boost to global efforts to prevent and treat HIV,” AFAO Executive Director Rob Lake said. “We will be seeking a meeting with the Australian government to gain their support for this vision”
The US Government sees that both treatment and prevention programs need to reach affected communities themselves. We look forward to funds for HIV prevention and treatment programs for gay and other men who have sex with men, sex workers, transgender people and people who inject drugs. These are some of the most at risk groups across the globe.
Research released recently in the US demonstrates that treatment is a critical and successful prevention technology. It demonstrates that providing effective treatment to people living with HIV not only will improve their quality of life and prevent deaths, it also lowers the risk of transmission by 96 per cent.
“Through application and funding of a newly developed Strategic Investment Framework, the combination of treatment and prevention and proper engagement with civil society, Hilary Clinton’s vision of an AIDS free generation is entirely possible.”
For media comment/contact please call Rob Lake 0421 040 538
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