18 August 2006 - XVI International AIDS Conference closing remarks by WHO Acting Director-General
Medicines, money and motivated health workers are key to universal access by 2010, says WHO Acting Director-General Anders Nordström, at the closing of the Toronto 2006.
17 August - Male circumcision update: ongoing clinical trials are key to validating the link between male circumcision and protection and against HIV infection
As trials continue, UN agencies work to ensure that current male circumcision practices are safe
16 August 2006 - HIV treatment access reaches over 1 million in sub-Saharan Africa, WHO reports
In low- and middle-income countries, just over 1.6 million persons were receiving antiretroviral therapy at the end of June 2006. In his plenary remarks today, WHO HIV/AIDS Director Dr. Kevin De Cock outlines progress and obstacles to achieving universal access to AIDS treatment.
Joint TB And HIV interventions can save lives and must be accelerated" says International Aids Society President
15 August 2006: WHO launches new plan to confront HIV-related health worker shortages
Toronto – The World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the International Labour Organization and the International Organization for Migration, today announced the launch of a coordinated global plan to address a major and often overlooked barrier to preventing and treating HIV/AIDS: the severe shortage of health workers, particularly in developing nations.
14 August - WHO HIV/AIDS Director Kevin De Cock featured in "Newsmaker Interviews" at the Toronto Conference
Dr. Kevin De Cock talks about the global efforts to stem the spread of HIV and improve access to antiretroviral therapy in an online interview with Kaiser Network's Jackie Judd.
14 August 2006 - WHO and UNAIDS Secretariat statement on HIV testing and counseling
HIV testing and counselling serve as a key entry point for HIV treatment, prevention, care and support services. However, access to these services is currently being hindered by low uptake of HIV testing. WHO and UNAIDS Secretariat release a renewed statement on the issue at the XVI International AIDS Conference in Toronto, Canada.
WHO focus on chronic shortages of health workers: launch of "Treat, Train, Retain"
Fifty-seven countries, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia face crippling shortages of health workers to deliver HIV/AIDS services. WHO estimates that more than four million health workers are needed. WHO has launched a new plan to "Treat, Train, Retain" health workers in developing countries.
New WHO guidance on treatment for children with HIV to be released at the Toronto Conference
Each day, 1 500 children become infected with HIV worldwide. WHO will be releasing new guidelines on paediatric treatment of HIV and also an advocacy paper highlighting the issue.
