The United Nations Global Fund to Fight AIDS launched its 2011-2013 strategy citing another 17 billion needed to combat the deadly disease. The death toll from AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) now stands at over 25 million. More than two million people are dying every year, in particular in Sub-Saharan Africa, despite innovative medical advances in treatment.
Today, there are over 30 million people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or AIDS across the world. UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon said today “for every two people who start treatment for HIV, another five are infected.” He stressed a tough battle ahead with the ongoing global financial crisis and the need for countries to develop new economic approaches to tackle the spread of the disease.