Over P160 billion needed for 2010 HIV response

CHANDAPIWA BAPUTAKI
Staff Writer | Wednesday April 28, 2010 00:00

UNAIDS estimates that a US$25.1 billion investment is needed in 2010 to enable countries to reach universal access goals. The report explained that simply maintaining the current pace of increased investments would not be sufficient, as an additional US$11 billion is needed to reach the targets in 2010.

Since the launching of the UNICEF and the joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)'s Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS global campaign in 2005, substantial progress has been made in delivering HIV services to millions of people, particularly women, children and young people, the report says.

The fourth stocktaking report of 2009 stated that the resources to meet the challenges have also increased with an approximate US $13.7 billion investment in HIV programming in 2008 standing at a near 75 percentage increase since 2005. It further revealed that significant resources are needed to support a strong and sustainable HIV response.

UNICEF and UNAIDS have determined that about US$5.9 billion or roughly one quarter of the US$25.1 billion investment needed to reach universal access goals is needed specifically to meet universal access targets for women and children.

The report indicated that it is estimated that US$605 million is needed to meet countries universal access goals following their own protocols for Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV.

The estimate includes HIV testing and counselling for pregnant women, various types of drug prophylaxis and counselling on infant feeding options. The report also indicated that depending on the country policy and context, programmes might include the provision of infant formula for a period of six months or longer.

It has been estimated that US$649 million is needed for scaling up HIV treatment and care services for infants and children under the age of 15. The report explained that this should be regarded as a low estimate because it includes only first line paediatric ART and does not include infant diagnosis.

About US$1.4 billion has been estimated as crucial in scaling up HIV prevention and interventions for youth. The figure however does not include special outreach and youth friendly programmes necessary to increase young people's access to and use of many essential prevention interventions.

According to the report, due to a lack of data regarding the numbers at risk of the youth, resources for young people who sell sex, men who have sex with other men, injecting drug users and prisoners are not included in this estimate.

An estimate of US$2.5 billion is needed to support orphans and vulnerable children according to the report.

It explained that while support may be provided in several ways, the estimated costs are those for cash grants to qualifying families and the provision of a full range of essential services such as educational, health care, family and community support with more than 90 percent of the estimated resources needed in sub Saharan Africa.

The report further stated that national commitments in response to the epidemic have been growing, as shown by increased domestic spending in many countries, the largest source of financing of HIV programmes.

It explained that more than half of the US$13.7 billion invested in HIV programming in 2008 came from countries affected by HIV/AIDS, with one third from direct bilateral cooperation and the rest coming from multilateral institutions (12 percent) and the private sector (five percent).

The report pointed out that the global economic crisis has forced many governments to re-examine their investments. 'As economic adjustments are made, it is vital that they be seen through a lens of protecting those most vulnerable to the effects of this crisis which are women and children,' the report said.