Update

Faith-based organizations and communities are central to the super Fast-Track response for children

17 July 2016

The ambitious targets in the 2016 United Nations Political Declaration on Ending AIDS to treat children living with HIV and eliminate new HIV infections among children and adolescents need urgent and concerted efforts. Faith-based organizations and community efforts will be central to the response.

More than 250 people have participated in two faith-based organization preconference sessions in advance of the 21st International AIDS Conference, which will take place in Durban, South Africa, from 18 to 22 July.

Luiz Loures, UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director, Deborah Birx, United States Global AIDS Coordinator and Special Representative for Global Health Diplomacy, and Anil Soni, Vice-President of the pharmaceutical company Mylan, joined representatives of faith-based organizations to galvanize joint action and develop more timely and effective responses to the needs of children.

Speakers highlighted the planned implementation of the super Fast-Track response for children through faith-based organizations, which have extensive health and support networks, in particular among hard-to-reach populations. The super Fast-Track response aims to ensure healthy and productive lives for children living with HIV through access to child-friendly diagnostic tools and antiretroviral medicines.

Quotes

“By 2020–2030 we will have 100% more young people and adolescents than we had in 1990–2000. This is the group that is now at risk. We will invest in programmes to ensure that adolescents receive the information they need to remain HIV free.”

Deborah Birx United States Global AIDS Coordinator and Special Representative for Global Health Diplomacy

“More lives are being saved today than ever before. However, there is still a lot of work to be done. More than ever we need the experience of the faith-based organizations.”

Luiz Loures UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director

“There has to be commitment to develop the very specific treatments and medications needed by children living with HIV. Treatment providers and industry can come together to identify shared solutions.”

Anil Soni Vice-President, Mylan

“The Catholic Relief Services AIDS programme has strengthened human resource capacity to over 30 000 staff, built staff capacity in data collection to provide accurate data and mobilized communities to improve adherence.”

Mwayabo Jean Claude Kazadi Global Senior Technical Adviser, Catholic Relief Services