A UN report reveals that over 4 million people are now receiving treatment for HIV, marking a nearly 40 per cent jump from the previous year. However, a new United Nations report issued Thursday says at least 5 million others still do not have access to much-needed medicines. Despite the “tremendous progress” in responding to HIV/AIDS, Director-General of WHO, Margaret Chan said “we need to do more.” This is because “Prevention services fail to reach many in need.” Therefore, she urges that “Governments and international partners must accelerate their efforts to achieve universal access to treatment. The new study – produced jointly by the UN World Health Organization (WHO), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) – said that the 4 million figure at the end of 2008 represents a 10-fold increase over five years. A statement from the UN information centre in Accra revealed that nearly half of the 9.5 million people in low- and middle-income countries who needed antiretroviral therapy are now receiving, with the fastest progress being seen in sub-Saharan Africa, where two-thirds of all HIV infections occur. The statement said prices of antiretroviral treatments have also dropped significantly in recent years, with first line regimen prices falling up to 40 per cent between 2006 and 2008. But second-line therapies remain expensive. According to the statement, AIDS remains the leading killer of women of reproductive age worldwide. UNICEF’s Executive Director, Ann M. Veneman, also notes that despite increased access to HIV services for women and children, “the disease continues to have a devastating impact on their health, livelihood and survival.” Meanwhile, more data on access to treatment for groups at high risk of HIV infection – such as sex workers and men who have sex with men – became available last year. These people, the report said, continue to face technical, legal and socio-cultural barriers to accessing health care services. According to UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé, the number of people needing treatment is expected to surge in the coming years. “Ensuring equitable access will be one of our primary concerns and UNAIDS will continue to act as a voice for the voiceless, ensuring that marginalized groups and people most vulnerable to HIV infection have access to the services that are so vital to their well-being and to that of their families and communities,” he added. The RV144 HIV vaccine study in Thailand shows a 31.2 per cent efficacy in preventing HIV infections, a modestly protective result with no safety issues noted. “However, these results have instilled new hope in the HIV vaccine research field and promise that a safe and highly effective HIV vaccine may become available for populations throughout the world who are most in need of such a vaccine,” the statement said. By: Dorcas Efe Mensah/myonline.com/Ghana