Africa AIDS Chief Worries the Pandemic Will Continue Spreading Across the Continent

UNAIDS top official for Africa on Tuesday welcomed the world's recent focus on fighting HIV, but called for greater commitment to stop the spread of the virus. "A lot of effort has been made during the last two years... but I don't think it's enough," Michel Sidibe said. "We cannot talk anymore about just an African pandemic. The epidemic has become global," he said.

AIDS officials had hoped infection rates had peaked in some of the world's worst-affected countries, including Botswana, Zimbabwe and Lesotho. However, they have continued rising to startling levels. "We know what could work. We know... that early attacks on the epidemic are effective," Sidibe said. "But when the epidemic is well established in the society and when the action is not taken at an early stage we know it is more difficult to reverse the impact."

Sidibe was also concerned about some of the tragedies that accompany the disease, further damaging African society. The 11 million children orphaned in Africa have become "a serious reservoir for any type of manipulation by extreme forces," he said. Many have become child soldiers, child workers or street children. The only way to fight the disease is with a comprehensive program that does not simply focus on prevention, treatment, orphans or vaccines, he said. "It is time for a new type of solidarity. It is time for a new type of social justice, and I think it is a challenge to the world," Sidibe said.

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