A government-backed HIV/AIDS workshop ended on 14 th June, after three days of brainstorming an innovative strategy on a work plan for combating HIV/AIDS in Yemen . More than 70 representatives from government agencies and NGOs participated in the workshop held in Sana'a. Dr. Abdulkareem Rase'a, Minister of Public Health and Population (MPHP), said that the government is committed to combating HIV/AIDS, citing the workshop as an example of the government's determination. The workshop aimed at the revision of the National Population Strategy for combating HIV/AIDS. During the 2002-2006 period, the MPHP established working relationships with many partners involved in combating the spread of HIV/AIDS, Rase'a added. In addition, Rase'a emphasized the importance of changing negative attitudes towards HIV/AIDS patients, especially the attitudes of some personnel working in the field. He urged all officers in the HIV/AIDS project and at the National Population Council (NPC) to cooperate with all international NGOs and other organizations that work in the field. Motahar Zabara, Deputy Secretary General of the NPC, clarified in his speech that the national strategy for combating HIV/AIDS had been prepared by experts and endorsed by the Council of Ministers after the NPC approved a final version. There was a funding shortage for the implementation of the strategy until the UNAIDS program joined the strategy. Alexander Ilyin, Deputy Representative of the UNFPA, praised workshop participants on the success of the gathering and their commitment to it. On behalf of the UN HIV/AIDS Theme Group, he underlined the necessity of the new plan to serve the Yemeni people. “After this workshop we hope that we move to implement strategy,” added Ilyin. Iris Semini, Regional Advisor for UNAIDS, expressed her appreciation of the efforts being made by Yemen to combat HIV/AIDS. “In Middle East we still have the opportunity to stop this epidemic,” she noted. As services for HIV/AIDS patients are still limited, “There is a lot to be done. We need much more effort on ground,” Semini said. The formulation of Yemen 's national strategy was one of the projects that UNAIDS has focused on in the MENA region, according to Semini. In Yemen , she said the commitment of the government and other working groups was visible, adding that the workshop provided the foundation for moving forward with better strategies. Semini promised that UNAIDS will provide equipment to help Yemen fight the epidemic. Background Information The number of known cases of HIV-infected people in Yemen reached 1,821 in 2005; fifty-five percent of the cases are Yemeni nationals. The number of known HIV/AIDS cases in the world is 40.3 million, most of them young adults and children. The Middle East area is thought to have a high incidence of AIDS with many deaths attributed to the syndrome. |
