The Economist in its June 17 issue examined Haiti's "relatively successful record" in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Although AIDS-related diseases are the leading causes of death in the country, a new study shows that HIV prevalence among adults may have been reduced by half over the past 10 years. In addition, three out of every four people in the country know how HIV is transmitted, and condom use has increased, according to the Economist. With a grant from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Haiti is providing antiretroviral treatment to 2,000 people, and the country's Gheskio treatment and research center hopes to expand the program to treat 25,000 people over the next five years. Gheskio has built more than 20 treatment centers throughout Haiti, trained 7,000 health care workers and conducted research on the disease. The success of Haiti's AIDS programs "stems mainly from a close partnership between government, private donors and charities," a situation that is "rare in politically divided Haiti," according to the Economist (Economist, 6/17).

Back to other news for June 21, 2004

Search the Newsroom archive