Source: Xinhua

04-27-2009 10:38

WASHINGTON, April 24 (Xinhua) -- The World Bank said here on Friday that the current global financial crisis is expected to negatively impact AIDS treatment programs in some 20 countries in 2009, warning a number of them may already be facing hardship in supplying life-saving drugs for people living with HIV/AIDS.

AIDS drugs(File photo)

According to a new report released by the World Bank on Friday, preliminary findings from a March 2009 survey suggest that eight countries now face shortages of antiretroviral drugs or other disruptions to AIDS treatment.

The survey, conducted in 69 countries which offer treatment to 3.4 million people on antiretroviral treatment (ART), shows that a total of 22 countries in Africa, the Caribbean, Europe and Central Asia, and Asia and Pacific expect to face disruptions over the course of the year, with the Eastern and Southern Africa "most likely to be affected."

These countries are home to more than 60 percent of people worldwide on AIDS treatment. HIV/AIDS prevention programs are also in jeopardy. Thirty-four countries representing 75 percent of people living with HIV already see an impact on prevention programs that target their high-risk groups, including sex workers and injecting drug users, the report said.

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