"The 12th World AIDS Conference: A Cautionary Tale"
Lancet (07/11/98) Vol. 352, No. 9122, P. 122; Horton, Richard
ÿÿÿÿ Richard Horton comments on the 12th World AIDS Conference held
recently in Geneva, Switzerland, and how its theme, "Bridging the
Gap," was meant to foster discussion on how to address the AIDS
epidemic in the developing world.ÿ Third World nations comprise
more than 90 percent of the HIV-positive population, yet they are
the ones most ignored, observed Horton.ÿ He expressed
disappointment at the reaction of other researchers and
physicians at the conference when a speaker from a developing
world took the podium--often, stated Horton, delegates took this
as an opportunity to leave the hall.ÿ Another issue with which
Horton took umbrage was the lack of participation by
pharmaceutical companies.ÿ "Industry remains the only part of the
AIDS community left unaccountable for its policies and
priorities," he wrote, adding that amidst all the exhibitions
there was scant reference as to how pharmaceutical firms would
help those in developing nations.ÿ According to research by
Robert Hogg and associates, $36.5 billion would be needed each
year to provide all HIV-infected people with triple
antiretroviral therapy, two-thirds of which would go to African
nations.ÿ Additionally, analysts estimate a 75 percent to 100
percent increase in AIDS mortality among children under five
years by 2010 in some places.ÿ While there are medical regimens
that reduce vertical transmission, transmission through
breastfeeding remains an unresolved issue, particularly because
it helps protect children in developing countries against even
more immediate threats like diarrhea and respiratory infections.
Durban concluded that to truly bridge the gap, participants must
practice one of the most important skills of a doctor--that of
listening.
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