Multifaceted strategy will defeat HIV/AIDS

The UNAIDS Executive Secretary was in the country this week where he visited various initiatives that have helped in efforts to combat HIV/AIDS. During his visit, he extended an invitation to President Kagame, for the forthcoming high level meeting on HIV/AIDS, scheduled to take place in New York, in June, where Rwanda will share her experience with the world, on how she managed to successfully fight the HIV epidemic. It is now 30 years since the first case of HIV was diagnosed. However, the scourge still remains a challenge, claiming millions of lives worldwide.But there is a glimmer of hope. Through a multifaceted approach, HIV can be scaled down.Rwanda has registered a remarkable drop in infection rates and the disease no longer claims lives as it used to. Through mass sensitization, availability of ARV’s and condoms, use of technology and accessibility of services that have drastically reduced mother to child transmission, Rwandans have managed to fight HIV. Most recent is the adoption of the mass-male circumcision drive which follows WHO research that shows circumcised men have a 65 percent lower risk of contracting HIV. These collective efforts would not have been as successful had it not been for the commitment on the part of the leadership. Resources too, have to be allocated and managed appropriately and this would not be possible without good governance and accountability. In spite of the fact that HIV still has no cure, through a multifaceted strategy, the disease and its effects can now be managed. Ends

Opinions

Multifaceted strategy will defeat HIV/AIDS