Brussels, 23/11/2004 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday during a joint press conference with the new European Commissioner for development cooperation, Louis Michel and the president of UNAIDS, Dr Peter Piot, presented the most recent figures on infection by the human immune deficiency virus, contained in a report by his organisation and the World Health Organisation. 39.4 million people are currently living with the HIV virus. Almost 5 million people were infected by HIV this year and 3 million people died from AIDS, indicated Mr Piot, who underlined a sharp increase of the disease in China, India and former countries of the USSR. The disease is also increasing in other European countries, he observed before pointing out that there was a need for a programme for girls and young women in developing countries, particularly in Africa where this group of the population has been most affected.
Pointing out that the EU with EUR 460 million was the main World fund for AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria contributor, Louis Michel underlined that contributions had to be multiplied by three by 2008 in order to reach USD 3 bn a year. He also highlighted the need to "ensure increased funding, that was adequate and could be planned" in order to allow the World Fund to achieve results. In reply to questions, Peter Piot, however, recognised that they had not really progressed in the field of medicines, despite the effort to cut prices (up to 95% in some cases). He asked whether those with the disease in Africa had access to treatment and stated that the big challenge was to ensure that the medicines go to the people.