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89 million Aids cases looming
04/03/2005 21:29 - (SA)
Addis Ababa - Governments could allow up to 89 million HIV/Aids infections to develop virtually unchallenged in Africa in the next 20 years by failing to take effective measures and boost funding, warned a United Nations study on Friday.
However, nearly half - up to 43 million HIV infections - could be averted across Africa if leaders took the right steps and significant foreign aid was forthcoming, said the report, "Aids in Africa: Three scenarios to 2025".
"Millions of new infections can be prevented if Africa and the rest of the world decide to tackle Aids as an exceptional crisis that has the potential to devastate entire societies and economies," said Peter Piot, the head of the UN agency leading the fight against HIV/Aids.
Piot warned that the evolution of the Aids pandemic in Africa in the next 20 years would be based on "decisions taken today by African leaders and the rest of the world".
Third scenario
If African governments implemented effective policies, but foreign aid was lacking, less than half that number of new HIV infections - about 23 million - could be averted by 2025, said the UNAids report.
A third scenario of a failure by African governments and the international community alike in tackling the problems foresees increasing poverty and underdevelopment across the continent even if infection rates remain stable at about 5%.
UNAids warned that would also cause huge economic costs, while health and support systems would be "underdeveloped and overwhelmed".
The study was initiated by UNAids in February 2003 in collaboration with the African Union, African Development Bank, and the World Bank. The oil giant Royal Dutch/Shell Group also shared expertise with the project.
- AFP
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HIV/Aids Special Report
