UNAIDS Observes Significant Reduction in New HIV Infections in Children and Adults

Global death rates due to HIV/AIDS have gone down significantly over the past decade, says the latest report published by UNAIDS.

The report regarding a fall in HIV cases was unveiled at the United Nations General Assembly held in Geneva on September 23, 2013.

Approximately 2.3 million children and adults were newly detected with HIV infections in 2012, which is 33 percent less than 2001. A shortage of 30 percent in the number of AIDS related deaths was also observed since 2005 when the death rate was at its pinnacle. The increase in the availability of antiretroviral treatment or ART is said to be the reason for this downsizing of this infection and death rates.

Standard antiretroviral therapy comprises of three antiretroviral (ARV) drugs at least,  which aid in suppressing the HIV virus to the maximum extent and also halt the spreading of HIV.

Around 9.7 million HIV infected people  from developing countries were treated with the antiretroviral therapy by the end of 2012, an increase of 20 percent in the number of people seeking cure.

In 2011, the world leaders aimed to provide treatment to 15 million people detected with HIV by 2015.

"Not only can we meet the 2015 target of 15 million people on HIV treatment-we must also go beyond and have the vision and commitment to ensure no one is left behind," Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS, stated in a press release.

A reduction of about 36 percent in deaths of TB (tuberculosis) patients infected with HIV has also been observed since 2004.

Donor funding has not increased since 2008, according to the UN report. A rise in global domestic spending on HIV totaling 53 percent was observed in 2012, approximately USmce_markernbsp;18.9 billion. About US$ 3-5 billion of funding needs to be raised by the UN by 2015.