AIDS epidemic has been a major global health issue because of the high infection and death rates. AIDS is a sexually transmitted disease, which spread at a rapid rate. The disease has highly affected developing countries by increasing the number of orphans and affecting the productivity of the labor force. In order to create a generation free of the disease, there is a certain blue print with principles, which can help in achieving the goal. The PEPFAR’S principles for fighting the disease include intense scientific research and advances. Investment in scientific research is key to achieving the goal because it will help evaluate ways in mitigating the disease (PEPFAR blueprint, 2012). It’s through research that the ARV drugs came into place. The drug has helped in prolonging lives of the infected and has helped reduce infections.
To achieve an AIDS-free generation, scientific investments should be encouraged to help in prevention and treatment in order to take full effect. In order to achieve the global objective, countries collaborate with each other in creating programs that help fight the disease. Donor nations can also donate funds to the developing nations, which have insufficient funding in some cases. Faith-based organizations such as churches are at the forefront in campaigning for AIDS-free societies (PEPFAR blueprint, 2012). The organizations sensitize their members on key issues relating to the epidemic. The private sectors and charity organizations also help in mobilizing resources which are used in coming up with mitigating solutions. Most of these civic societies organize programs where they educate people on the importance of using protection and abstaining from irresponsible sex. This is done through seminars and advertisement campaigns.
Another principle in the blue print to reduce AIDS is promoting gender equality in administering of HIV services. Women and girls should be given consideration and focus on giving of the services. The services include testing, counseling, and ARV distribution in the case of infection. People who live with AIDS have also been discriminated and stigmatized (Nicholson, McKimm, & Allen, n.d.). The patients with the disease should be given access to key services and accepted in society. The discovery of ARV has helped encourage the patients take up tasks and live their normal lives.
In the planning of the various programs in controlling AIDS, there should be set goals and objectives, which are used in assessing the effectiveness of the programs and implementation of set principles. There should also be a form of reporting involved to help assess the progress and ensure goals are met. Though the goal of an AIDS-free generation has not been met, nations around the globe have implemented the above principles in fighting HIV/AIDS, and this has immensely reduced the prevalence rate of the disease. Through the implementation of the principles, the infection rate of the disease has also reduced (Nicholson, McKimm, & Allen, n.d.). Mother to child infection has also been prevented through smart scientific investment in research. Present research, especially in the United States, has been undergoing with the goal of finding a vaccine or a cure for AIDS. The disease has claimed millions of lives globally and has led to the loss of skilled labor and growing number of orphans. Adoption of the PEPFAR principles is critical to achieving the vision of an AIDS-free world.
- Nicholson, B., McKimm, J., & Allen, A. Global health (1st ed.).
- Sanyal, U. (2006). Fight AIDS with ‘AIDS’: role of anti-AIDS stamps in HIV/AIDS prevention. AIDS, 20(16), 2132-2134. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.aids.0000247576.18751.e8
- PEPFAR blueprint. (2012) (1st ed.). [Washington, DC].
- A generation free of HIV. (2009) (1st ed.). Harare.