AIDS: Reduced infections in Sub-Saharan Africa but rising elsewhere

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Scuttling the AIDS epidemic where it has been coasting most is probably every medical and healthcare professional’s global advocacy. Seven years ago, volunteers from Doctors Without Borders and medical doctors who have been on Sub-Saharan African missions to provide assistance to its impoverished ailing populations would have proffered a mix of panic and ruefulness in their situationers.


Currently, there are signs that interventions to curb the global AIDS pandemic are working in Sub-Saharan Africa. This area is still the most important region of concern, for it is the residence of 23.5 million global cases of HIV infection. An alarming percentage of victims are women who pass on the disease to their babies.

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Seven years ago, too, the dismal toll of the yet incurable disease could have completely disheartened humanitarian movements. The slog to reduce morbidity from 1.8 million in 2005 to the now more optimistic figure of 1.2 million (2011 statistics) has taken painstaking efforts and donations from UNAIDS, non-profits, governments, CSR movements, and philanthropists. Another heave of global resources to salvage the most afflicted region in the world should be lined up for another push at the reduction of deaths and infections.


Yet, countering the silver lining in Sub-Saharan Africa is the push of AIDS to other regions of the world. Asia is alarmingly looking like the next emergency situation. Sadly, its rising toll is due not to extreme poverty but complacency in prevention. Sexual practices in the continent’s thriving sex work sector could be libertine about protection, while in some countries, contraception remains a taboo.

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Consult this website for updates on Dr. Paul Frymoyer and other global medical and pathological trends.