Reality Check: HIV & AIDS Interventions in Asia

Despite the many advances and successes achieved by some countries in reducing the rate of new HIV infections in Asia, the sincerity of the various HIV and AIDS programmes established are being questioned. These questions were put centre stage by the Asian People's Alliance for Combating HIV and AIDS (APACHA) in their latest report entitled Reality Check: HIV & AIDS Interventions in Asia released during the 8th ICAAP.

The majority contents of the report criticises policies made by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) that impede the universal access to affordable AntiretroViral (ARV) drugs worldwide.

The report delved into the role of The Global Fund claiming that it was "still struggling to ensure democratic governance of Country Coordination Mechanisms" despite it having the potential to address the issue.

Also highlighted was the civil society response to the epidemic which it claims to be weak. Initiatives have been made in terms of mobilising bodies such as parliamentarians, political parties, student unions but it is far from being a priority.Download the report here.