HIV/AIDS funding crisis

• Universal access to treatment for HIV/AIDS, for all who need it – by 2010
• Halt and reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS – by 2015

These two targets are part of the Millennium Development Goal to combat HIV/AIDS. Providing resources for universal access to treatment was also promised by leaders of the G8 in 2005 meeting here in Scotland, following the call of the MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY campaign.

According to a new report by the Church of Scotland’s HIV/AIDS project developed countries are in danger of falling short on their commitments. With the global economic crisis, many richer countries are reassessing how much money to spend on the Millennium Development Goals. Individuals and church congregations are to be commended for the work that they have done on this issue. In January churches raised more than £90,000 from ‘Souper Sunday’ that has gone to help frontline services that are working in partnership with the Church of Scotland.

After the General Election individuals and congregations need to start writing to new MPs and the Government to insist that money for HIV/AIDS prevention in developing countries is provided. A tax rise here might seem an additional burden, but it is a matter of life and death for people who don’t have access to medication.