Is AIDS still an emergency?

"AIDS has gotten special treatment because of its emergency status; that view is no longer valid because the epidemic has peaked," John Bongaartstold IRIN/PlusNews on the phone from the New York headquarters of the Population Council, an international non-governmental research organisation of which he is vice-president.

For the full story, go to PlusNews Global | Africa | AFRICA | GLOBAL: Is AIDS still an emergency? | HIV/AIDS (PlusNews) Aid Policy Research - PlusNews | Breaking News but int he meantime, how can AIDS NOT BE AN EMERGENCY when nearly 25 percent of populations in some of our countries are living with the virius?

[Comrade_007]

I totally agree, SAlml - that seems to be a view far removed from the realities as they exist in our communities, where scores of people die on a daily basis and where the huge number of orphans and destitute children will pose a huge challenge to our society. I think the gentleman needs to speak with a bit more sensitivity and circumspection. He may be right from a purely scientific point-of-view, but on the ground, right here, right now,HIV/Aids is causing untold suffering.

[mindfactory]

Aids or the one's living with the HIV/AIDS Virus, have a problem because of sleeping around with numerous people. It's immoral or beter unethical to sleep around and respectless with out condoms.

Those who are affected, let them suffer and eventually die from this illness which they have brought on them.

Stop treating AIDS infected people in a way to make us who care for our health feel like they are beter then others. They are sick and no one asked them to have loose habits and no values. They can not say they did not know about this illness.

Invest the money in the healthy peopleand you will soon see, that all people want to live a healthier lives. Invest in the pensioners, they deserve the money more then anyone.

[juikk]

Would have agreed with you if that was the only way to contract the illness, but innocent babies get born with it, some people get the burden through blood transplant, etc, etc...in that case your take may sound a little inhumane and insensitive, albeit correct when it is consenting adults, but still, we as humans err, but that don't mean the society should forsake affected people....plus, do not forget the rape victims who have to suffer double the blow ok.

[mindfactory]

These babies should be silenced before birth. As soon as the health personal discover pregnancy from infected (HIV/Aids people) a still born should be arranged to prevent the spread of a bigger disaster. Abortion for infected AIDS/HIV positive mothers should be arranged if they are pragnant.

We do not need more sick people.

[Dude]

Mindfactory - apart from being totally insensitive to the plight of HIV/Aids infected persons, you are proposing measures that are simply not workable or practical. Think about what you wrote, and imagine this is your daughter, or brother or sister, or father or mother. This tragedy can befall anyone, and it requires everyone's attention. The emergency is not over - far from it.