The AIDS Conference opens in Toronto

The 16th largest global AIDS conference is taking place in Toronto (Canada) from August 13-18, with the participation of 24,000 people from more than 170 countries and territories.

Many women affected by AIDS (Photo: AP) Reading a speech on the opening day Mr. and Mrs. Bill and Melinda Gates delivered a message to remind people that women are now one of the most at risk groups in the world. gender.

One of the priorities of this year's conference is to find ways to promote the study of vaccines that help women prevent the entry of HIV. The conference organizers said the most pressing need now is to increase the delivery of antiviral drugs to the poor and to find ways to prevent HIV infection.

Scientists are looking for ways to make skin anesthetic that can kill viruses. People are talking about male circumcision that can help prevent new infections. However, co-chairing the conference, Dr Mark Wainberg criticized the absence of the host Prime Minister, Stephen Harper.

The BBC's Lee Carter says it shows that there is often a link between politics and science at the international AIDS conference. But this year AIDS campaigners have sponsors and rich companies behind them.

Dr. Peter Piot (Photo: BBC)

Speaking at the opening session of the conference, the head of the United Nations HIV / AIDS Program - Dr. Peter Piot - said that after 25 years since AIDS appeared, the world needed to transition from counter-measures. " dealing " with the century disease into long-term prevention; This means ensuring the ability to provide AIDS medicines to millions of poor people in the next 30-40 years.

Currently about five million AIDS patients need medication, while an average of four million more are infected each year. The main objective of the group of industrialized countries (G8) is that by 2010, the world is capable of providing drugs to all AIDS patients.

Dr. Piot called on governments around the world to strengthen their special efforts to prevent AIDS.

The role of women

Microsoft founder and Gates Foundation charity, Mr. Bill Gates and Ms. Melinda, told the audience that despite having more drugs to protect the virus, the world still has 4-5 million people who will be infected with HIV and many of them. it is a woman.

Mr. and Mrs. Gates said that women in poor countries do not do much to fight AIDS and people are biased if they are infected.

Melinda Gates prevented the spread of AIDS only if she could help women with their own means of prevention.

"If politicians want to be seen as sympathetic to the victims they need to save the life of a four-year-old mother whose husband goes to buy sex."

"If a prostitute forced a client to wear a condom, she saved the mother of four," Melinda said.

The Gates Foundation has donated millions of dollars to AIDS research. AIDS has been found 25 years ago, but so far no vaccine has been available even though treatment has made significant progress.

The number of people infected with HIV and viruses can lead to AIDS, currently 45 million, most in poor countries.

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