Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria, TB and other diseases…

Millennium Development Goal 6 (MDG6) aims to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases and sets specific targets to:

• halt the spread of HIV/AIDS by 2015 and begin to reversal;
• provide universal access to treatment for HIV/AIDS for all those who need it by 2010;
• halt and begin to reverse the spread of malaria and other major diseases by 2015 

Quick Facts:

• Women account for half of all HIV infections in the world – this percentage has not shown any decrease for the past seven years. In 2007, over 33 million people were living with HIV and nearly three million people were newly-infected.
• In 2008, there were 9.4 million new TB cases and 1.8 million people died, including 500.000 people with HIV – equal to 4500 deaths a day
• An estimated 243 million cases of malaria were reported in 2008. Children under five account for the majority of deaths caused by malaria.

How is the goal progressing?

Good progress has been made in reaching MDG 6, with the number of people newly infected with HIV now in decline, and almost 4 million people receiving anti-retroviral treatment (ARVs) in 2008. Despite this progress there are still 33 million people living with HIV and less than half of those who need ARVs have access to them.

The fight against malaria has also seen some progress thanks to increased funding and focus on malaria control (i.e. mosquito bed nets). Nevertheless, malaria kills approximately 1 million people a year, disproportionately affecting children under 5 and pregnant women. Although 24% of children under 5 are now using a mosquito net, this is still far below the global target of 80%. In addition less than 15% of children who are sick with fever receive effective anti-malarial medicine.

Though incidence rates of TB are dropping in all regions, the number of new TB cases continues to rise due to population growth. 2.3 million people were cured of TB in 2008, yet in the same year millions of patients were unable to access suitable diagnosis and care, and 1·8 million people died from TB despite it being a curable disease. The 2009 Global TB Control report also revealed that 1 in 4 TB deaths is HIV related, twice as many as previously recognised.

To meet the challenge of MDG 6, a well-functioning, integrated and fully operational health system – effective at local, regional and national levels, and staffed by well-trained, well-managed and well-paid workers – is essential. Primary health care remains the key element of any health system that aims to be accessible and respond to the needs of all people. Sufficient resources to strengthen health systems that prioritise comprehensive basic healthcare will facilitate the provision of services that are pro-poor and accessible by all citizens, including those who are marginalised, vulnerable and hard to reach.