AIDS could become a global threat, and deaths because of this disease could multiply considerably over the coming years. It is the hard warning of the UN AIDS Agency announcing that we could be in front of a pandemic. The reason? The United States has, for the moment, has finished financing the programs to combat this disease in poorly developed countries, and the consequence could be a dramatic one. “In order not to return in the 90s, you will have to be at European level and at national level to intensify the prevention”, He commented for “Adevărul” Dr. Adrian Marinescu, the interim manager of the “Matei Balș” Infectious Diseases Hospital in the Capital.
AIDS could threaten public health again. Archive
The UN Agency for HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) warned that, in the absence of funding from the United States, about 2,000 infections could occur daily, but also an increase in the number of deaths. “Indeed, the impact will be a global one and will feel not in the near future, but in the coming years. This, if the US does not return to the decision or if there are no other sources of financing of these AIDS fighting programs ”, said Dr. Adrian Marinescu.
Infectious doctor: “It takes caution and prevention”
“In Europe, the impact will be felt less, but even so, we will attend an increase in the number of diseases. And, most likely, the virus will be brought to Europe and Romania by foreigners, immigrants in search of a job,” the specialist said. Therefore, we will have to deal with import cases, especially since Europe is very attractive in terms of labor.
And in Romania, the impact of this decision of the American administration will be felt. “However, we do not have to panic, the impact will be felt in us in the coming years, but the number of illnesses will not be a major. In no case can we speak, at least in the country, of an explosion of the cases with AIDS”,, ” explained the infectious doctor.
Dr. Adrian Marinescu, interim manager of the “Matei Balș” Infectious Diseases Hospital in the Capital
However, the danger exists, this is a certain thing. If the fight against AIDS will no longer be financed as it has been so far, the virus could get out of control in certain areas of the globe. Therefore, it is only a matter of time until they arrived in Europe, in developed countries, where, in resection, the disease almost does not exist anymore. “There is a lot of emphasis on prevention, population education programs. More than ever. We have nothing else to do. The awareness and accountability measures will have to be intensified. Then, Europe could think of prevention measures, it could implement them, we could also contribute financially.”
A middle variant should be found, says the doctor, so that we do not wake up in a few years in front of a pandemic. “We will continue to treat sick patients, but the idea is not to face new cases of illness. That is why people need to know how to avoid, how to prevent illnesses, how to test. It must have information on how this disease is transmitted and what are the groups at risk, the most vulnerable ”.
Who is to test anti-HIV
Anyone who wants can be tested, but this analysis is especially recommended for sexually active people who have unprotected sexual contacts with multiple partners. “These people should test at least every six months. Then, those who have come into contact with the blood of a person consuming injectable drugs should be tested.” stated for “Adevărul” Mihai Lixandru, president of the Romanian Anti – AIDS (ARAS) Association. “The tests are offered through the national HIV/AIDS program and are totally settled”, he said.
Testing can be done in several ways: through classic laboratory tests or fast tests. “While classic testing involves intravenous blood harvesting, fast tests involve only a finger sting. And in a few minutes the patient receives the result,” Explains Mihai Lixandru the procedure that is performed in the hospitals in Bucharest. “Laboratory analyzes last longer, around 24 hours.”
Donald Trump has closed the anti-Sida financing tap. Archive
OMS goals, braking by “America First” policy
Mihai Lixandru stated that the global objectives set for 2030 by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Program for HIV/AIDS are that 95% of a country’s citizens know their status, 95% of those diagnosed positively and 95% of those under treatment to have an undetectable viral load.
The Trump administration, however, stated that the financing of the programs that are carried out in the under-Developed areas has been frozen to respect the “America First” policy. The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, rejected concerns about interruption of external aid, saying that derogations for essential services were granted.
The common program of the United Nations for HIV/AIDS, which coordinates the global response to the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS, received $ 50 million last year from the US, which represented 35% of the UN agency’s budget.
