Fifteen thousands people from over 100 countries have gathered in Amsterdam, Netherlands for the largest AIDS Conference which would hold from 23rd to 27th of July.
Welcoming delegates across the world at the opening ceremony on Monday evening, the Minister of Foreign Trade in Netherlands, Sigriel Kaag noted that in 2017, 970,000 people passed away of AIDS adding that 27 million people are currently living with AIDS.
The Minister lamented that out of the 27 million, only 22 million of the people have access to therapy and adequate health care noting that over 30 per cent new infections are recorded yearly.
She stated that despite the fact that the infection have been in existence for over 30 years, experts and scientists have not been able to come about the root cause that causes the virus to grow.
Kaag called on governments of nations to look into ways of reducing the stigma faced by people affected with HIV/AIDS and ensure that their rights are protected.
She stated that the government of Netherlands is committing $10 million to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) which is a new way people can protect themselves from HIV adding that the funds would be meant for communities that have been unreached for so long.
In her address, the President of the International AIDS Society, Linda-Gail Bekker said the conference would look at the latest science innovation in HID treatment, cure and the latest underground strategies towards prevention.
She added that the conference would have 3,000 abstracts over 150 sessions in the period of four days. - The Nation
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