World News

Compiled by Martin Flynn

HIV charities sceptical at DFID AIDS strategy

Douglas Alexander, secretary of state for International Development (DfID), has launched the new British government’s international AIDS strategy promising to spend £6 billion on strengthening the health systems and HIV services in developing countries.

Entitled ‘Achieving Universal Access’, the new strategy sets out the UK’s response to tackle HIV and AIDS in developing countries over the next 7 years.

It aims to make clear the UK’s commitment to continue to play a leadership role and assisting developing countries to reach the goal of universal access to antiretroviral therapies for all as well as halting and reversing the spread of HIV.

The British government’s AIDS strategy also gives £200 million over 3 years towards ‘social protection’ as well as funding for vaccines and microbicides research.

“We will continue to support services that reach those most at risk, are tailored to the realities of people’s lives, and address the discrimination that make them more vulnerable,” Alexander said.
But HIV charities were a bit more sceptical to the government’s new strategy.

Some accused the government of doing more about HIV abroad but giving less and less funding to HIV at home.

“Rather than allocating money for HIV-specific activities, the £6 billion is likely to go directly to governments’ health budgets,” said Alvaro Bermejo of the International HIV/AIDS Alliance: “We are currently not clear how the funding is going to reach civil society and the most at risk populations who are at the forefront of the fight against HIV.”

www.dfid.gov.uk

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