Lighting a fire under political leaders: Annie Lennox in Mexico

Aids Activist Annie Lennox spoke out at the International Aids Conference in Mexico at  the lack of sufficient funds available to achieve the target of universal access to HIV medication by 2010. 

Calling AIDS an “invisible Tsunami every day,” Oxfam Ambassador Lennox said “If we are to achieve the promise of universal access by 2010, the AIDS conference must light a fire under political leaders to increase their aid for HIV/AIDS. It is unacceptable that so many women, in particular, are suffering for want of treatment and care. With decent healthcare treatment and nutrition, millions of lives can be, babies born free of HIV, women can live healthy lives.”

As the number of child-headed households in Africa continues to grow and the number of female AIDS cases rises she warned that the feminisation of AIDS has desperate ramifications for the whole fabric of the world; “When we cease to respect the mother, we cease to be human,” Lennox said. 

Oxfam warned that a lack of funding leaves health systems vastly under-staffed, and key medicines remain unaffordable for poor people and poor countries.

Oxfam International health adviser Dr. Mohga Kamal-Yanni said: “Fifty percent more than the amount currently pledged for HIV/AIDS is needed to meet the promised goal of universal access by 2010. In 2008 alone UNAIDS estimates an US$8 billion shortfall, and the gap will increase if donors do not change course.”

Oxfam also criticised donors’ penchant for giving short-term grants, which hinders building strong health systems. Dr. Kamal-Yanni: “Addressing the workforce crisis, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, requires long-term predictable financing so countries can train, hire and retain staff, particularly female health workers in rural areas.”

Wasai Jacob Nanjakululu, head of Oxfam’s global AIDS programme, said: “Only two of Africa’s countries, Botswana and Gambia, have made good on their promise to spend 15% of the national budget on health. Africa must do its part to close the financing gap and achieve universal access.”

Closing the Oxfam press conference with a call to action, Lennox said, “ HIV has become my life’s mission. We can all contribute to the change we need.”