Interview: Zero new HIV infections achievable – Unaids boss

The African continent has embarked on a crusade to contain HIV by 2015, a deadline set by UN member states. However, strong commitment from the government, Non Government Organisations and Civil society platforms is needed to fight against the deadly virus and reach zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS related death. The New Times’ Frank Kanyesigye last week caught up with Michel Sidibé, the Executive Director of UNAIDS who talked about the organisation’s mandate in Africa, and future prospects among other issues. Below are the excerptsThe New Times (TNT): Can you briefly tell us about yourself…Michel Sidibé (MS): I am the Executive Director of United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) with the rank of Under Secretary-General of the United Nations. I assumed the office in 2009. With this new mandate, I am committed to spearhead UNAIDS’ contribution to regional and individual country response as well as efforts in global policies, evidence, and monitoring and evaluation. I became the Director of the Country and Regional Support Department of UNAIDS in 2001, prior to being appointed as the Executive Director.I joined United Nations Children Fund UNICEF in 1987 in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo). During my 14 year tenure at UNICEF, I oversaw programmes across 10 francophone countries in Africa. I also served as a UNICEF country representative in several African countries, including Burundi, Swaziland and Uganda. In 2011 I was appointed to the Global Board of Directors of Grassroot Soccer, a non-profit organisation committed to preventing new HIV infections in Africa.I was born in 1952 in Mali; I am married with four children. TNT: What is the UNAIDS current mandate in Africa?MS: UNAIDS is an umbrella organization trying to coordinate the efforts of 11 other UN organisations. When we talk about fighting AIDS on this continent, UNAIDS objective is to come up with a clear, analysed information strategy that will bring countries together in the fight against new HIV infections. Our aim is to mobilise governments and communities to achieve the vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths.We want to see African countries committed to fight against HIV by engaging the people through awareness campaigns, and testimonies among others.TNT: Is there any new HIV fight campaign in pipeline?MS: We have a series of programmes we are dealing with at the moment, for instance we don’t want to see any baby born with HIV/AIDS on the African continent, as well as all over the world. In most parts of the world, it’s rare to see children born with the virus but in Africa we still have more than 300,000 babies born with HIV virus every year. Having a generation free of HIV could be the beginning of end of this disease. For us, this campaign is very important because it links HIV with maternal, child and reproductive health. This is an entry point of dealing with a wide range of health issues.TNT: How do you rate Rwanda’s HIV/AIDS fight campaign?MS: Rwanda is one of the most successful countries in achieving better healthcare. To me the country has been able to demonstrate that we can reach universal access when no one believed that we could even put people on treatment.Rwanda is now showing that we can go beyond 90 percent of people who can access AIDS treatment. The country is showing that we can reduce death. In the last eight years, we embarked on a decentralised programme which has reached all. We can see Rwanda has embarked on a campaign to eliminate the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV/Aids. So it’s a country with a clear leadership, vision, and commitment which has translated into the better management of resources made available to the people. For us Rwanda is a good example in Africa when it comes to HIV infection fight.TNT: Earlier on, you mentioned zero AIDS-related deaths campaign, what is it all about?MS: A few years back, nobody believed that we could reduce transmission and infection; today we are seeing a considerable decline in new infection especially on the continent and most of the countries are committed to end the epidemic. Reduction by 25 percent of HIV infection among young people is realistic. We want to make sure that young people become agents of change and improve prevention programmes and use the new opportunities given to the world today.When we talk about new opportunities, science shows that when we put people on treatment early enough, we can reduce the transmission rate by 96 percent and that is possible today.We need to leverage that new scientific discovery to help us put more people on treatment. There is also a need to improve our capacity to test people and that is one of the strategies we have today. TNT: What is your view on the campaign to encourage male circumcision as a strategy to reduce HIV infection? Don’t you think the campaign will encourage unprotected sex?MS: I don’t think so, because if there is scientific evidence showing that circumcision reduces HIV transmission and this has become universal. If there is majority of circumcised males, it can drastically reduce the spreading of HIV infection by almost 65 percent.For us, circumcision is one of preventive tools we need to use and Rwanda again is showing that it’s possible because the country is rolling out the new circumcision tool, ‘Prepex’ which is better than surgical intervention. We can have a less costly initiative that encourages people to adopt circumcision. TNT: What message are you taking back from Rwanda regarding HIV fight?MS: Rwanda is among countries in Africa that I can rate in category ‘A’ because the country demonstrated a clear vision, committed leadership, and well managed resources.People-centred approach is very important for the success of the country and that is what Rwanda is doing. My impression is the positive results on the ground regarding improved healthcare. I managed to visit the First Lady and her Imbuto Foundation, the work done by this organisation is very outstanding because the results are self explanatory.I also toured various health facilities and observed that Rwanda was on track to achieve all Millennium Development Goals’ targets most especially in healthcare.Like many of our successful stories, there are some areas that need a lot of attention, for stance how we can create a sustainable environment and promote self reliance.TNT: We have seen several reports saying that scientists were close to discovering HIV/AIDS cure vaccine. Is there any hope?MS: I am optimistic on this, because I have seen scientists in many countries who are trying to put in much efforts and resources in discovering the vaccine. We have seen doctors in the US who have made medical history by effectively curing a child born with HIV. The two and a half year old girl was successfully cured. The surprise success has raised hopes that the therapy might ultimately help doctors eradicate the virus among newborns. However we need to invest more in seeking HIV vaccine and I hope it will be possible.TNT: How close is the world to get rid of HIV/AIDS?MS: The present antiretroviral drugs extend patients’ longevity and drastically reduce the transmission of the virus – but we must continue to mobilise the international community to find a vaccine or cure. Even countries with the highest HIV prevalence in the world have seen the number of new HIV infections decline dramatically.TNT: What are your final remarks?MS: I want to implore all countries in Africa that they have what it takes to fight HIV infection. They shouldn’t rest at all because the virus doesn’t rest. We need to think about coming up with initiatives to produce local medicines that can cure the virus. There is also need to continue the fight against stigma among HIV patients. We should show them love and compassion. African nations should adopt the “Protect the Goal” campaign to raise awareness about HIV and mobilise young people to commit to HIV prevention.

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Interview: Zero new HIV infections achievable – Unaids boss