Idris Ahmed
5 August 2008
About $1.6 billion has been provided by the World Bank since 2000 to fight HIV/AIDS epidemic in sub-Saharan African, a report from the bank said yesterday.
The report which emanated from the 17th International AIDS Conference holding in Mexico City where experts gathered to discuss the "Changing HIV/AIDS Landscape in Africa" said Lifetime treatment for AIDS costs about $5,600 in Africa, while the cost to prevent a new infection is about US$2,000 and is expected to decrease over time.
In Nigeria, the National Agency for the Control of AIDs (NACA) said last month that the World Bank credit to fight HIV/AIDS in the country in the last five years amounted to $90.3 million.
The Director General of NACA, Professor Babatunde Ostimehin while presenting the HIV/AIDS profiles in the country and its budget over the years said while the $90.3 billion expired in June, there was additional financing agreement signed for $50 million with 2-year extension.
The World Bank report said research has shown that there is a need for global and country-level political commitment and leadership to fight the disease.
In Mexico, Robert Zoellick, the President of the World Bank group said: "We cannot talk about more inclusive and sustainable development in Africa without also committing to the long-term battle against AIDS, the largest single cause of premature death on the continent.
Some of the Changing HIV Landscape's critical findings according to the bank is that a major reason for health care workers leaving government service is lack of protection from HIV, which include "standard protective equipment and access to post-exposure prophylaxis."
The report concludes that nations, donors, and communities must understand their specific epidemics, rely on evidence to determine appropriate interventions, and coordinate much better when setting priorities.
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