World Health Organization passes resolutions on HIV/AIDS

            The World Health Organization on February 16 passed resolutions 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 on HIV/AID. These resolutions addressed the prevention of AIDS through efforts focused on the issue of contraceptives and education.

These resolutions stated that a global response was needed. There is inadequate knowledge in most countries about AIDS. Therefore public campaigns about education and AIDS are needed. The resolutions requested an increase in the supply of medications through the UN and other organizations, trusts, and foundations. The resolutions also encouraged the supply of contraceptives but did not mandate their use. It was hoped that these goals would be accomplished by 2015.

HIV is a type of retrovirus that infects human cells in the immune system. It is a highly infectious and lethal disease that has claimed more than 25 million lives over the last 30 years. In the year 2011, approximately 34.2 million people were living with HIV.

Most delegates agreed that the issue of HIV/AIDS is a pressing topic that needs attention. Most of their attention was focused on prevention in African countries. The main sponsors in all three resolutions were Saudi Arabia, Guatemala, and United Arab Emirates.

The delegates from India, the UAE, and Algeria discuss Resolution 2.1 on HIV/AIDS.

Many delegates gave their opinion on the importance of passing these working papers. “I thought this was a very pressing matter and needed much consideration. The idea was to create a perfect resolution that could deal with many issues,” said the representative of Saudi Arabia, Noveed Noordin.

Some delegates, however, decided not to speak on the topic. “We are not publically speaking of HIV and believe that no immediate action must be taken” said Tim Doan the representative of North Korea. Another delegate had something different to say.

Many delegates focused on education and long term goals.  “This resolution [Resolution 2.2] focuses on education as a means of lowering infection rate and it has a focus on research for a cure. We also wanted to make this resolution accessible for all faiths and cultures” reported the representative of Guatemala, Renee Blevins.

Before the resolutions were passed, there was much debate about contraceptives.  Some delegates argued that contraceptives were not necessary because of certain religious beliefs, while others stated that they remained viable solutions. For example, the delegates from Italy and Poland did not support contraceptives.

Another recurring aspect of the debate was the issue funding and its sources.  The delegates from Rwanda worried that low poverty countries would not be able to afford contraceptives.   Many delegates were opposed to UN funding. Resolution 2.3 mentioned organizations such as GiveWell, Medline Plus, and Just Love Safe that would fund the contraceptives and other necessities.