World maybe without HIV babies by 2015

BEIJING, March 9 (Xinhuanet) -- Within five years, the world could shield all newborns from HIV if the world continuing to ramp up health spending to maintain the current rate of progress, the Global Fund said in its annual report, as quoted by media.

"A world where no children are born with HIV is truly possible by 2015," said Michel Kazatchkine, head of the Global Fund, launching the group's annual report.

"It is also possible now to imagine a world with no more malaria deaths, since already an increasing number of countries have been reporting a reduction in malaria deaths of more than 50 percent over the past couple of years," he said.

"No other area of development has seen such a direct and rapid correlation between donor investments and live-saving impact as these investments in fighting AIDS, TB and malaria."

According to the AP, programmes supported by the Global Fund have provided anti-retroviral drugs to 790,000 pregnant women with HIV, which dramatically reduces the chances of their babies being born with the virus.

That represents about 45 percent of the women who need such treatments, the Fund said, adding that reaching the goal of 100 percent depends on ongoing donor commitments.