Yesterday the World Health Organization announced that 72% of those infected with HIV in Latin America and the Caribbean are receiving treatment, the largest percentage in the “third world”. The announcement was made at the fourth Latin America and Caribbean forum in HIV AIDS held in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The percentage of those being treated in Latin America and the Caribbean means that about 355,000 people out of the 490,000 known cases of HIV are being treated. This is a huge jump. In 2003 only 210,000 cases were being treated.

The increase in treatment is attributed to the lowering cost of treatment drugs.

The trend, however, is not limited to just Latin America. In Sub-Saharan Africa, where the HIV infections numbers are some of the highest world wide, there has also been a marked increase in people getting treatment.

However it should be noted that not all countries treat HIV the same. Cuba for example is reported to treat 95% of their HIV cases compared to Bolivia treating 24%( additionally it should be noted that Cuba has been criticized for its treatment of those with HIV including its use of sanatoriums). Additionally pregnant women and children with HIV continue to be one of the most under-served populations and the number of those infected with the virus is expected to be higher than the official numbers because many have not gotten tested and do not know their status.

Via / El Diario – La Prensa