On World Aids Day the Labour Government reaffirms its commitment to securing improved services for people living with HIV and AIDS across the globe.

There have been great advances in tackling HIV and AIDS. Some 3 million people are on anti-retroviral treatment compared to 100,000 in 2001, the price of first-line AIDS drugs has halved since 2003 and the percentage of adults living with HIV has levelled off.  Yet  with 33 million people still living with HIV and AIDS worldwide, the Labour Government will continue to act.

The Labour Government has a proud history of leadership in this area.  The UK is the world’s second largest bilateral donor to the global fight against HIV and AIDS. Through the Presidencies of the G8 and EU in 2005, the Labour Government led the way in galvanising the international commitment, increasing funding, and achieving better results in the global fight against HIV and AIDS.

To help continue fighting to reverse the spread of HIV and meet the global  goal of universal access to prevention, treatment and care is achieved the Labour Government has launched a new long-term strategy, and has committed £6 billion to strengthen health systems and services over 7 years in addition to the £1 billion already committed to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria.

Douglas Alexander, Labour’s Secretary of State for International Development said:
 
“I am pleased to reiterate our Labour Government’s commitment to global leadership on HIV and AIDS. World AIDS Day is another opportunity to campaign and highlight the scale of need across the world.”