UNICEF to Help Children Fight AIDS

‘Unite for Children, Unite Against AIDS’ is a global campaign involving children in fight against AIDS.

The UNICEF organization launched the campaign on October 25, 2005. UNAIDS and United Nations in New York fund the campaign.

HIV-infected pregnant women pass on the virus to children, as they do not receive the antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) that prevent the transmission from mother to child.

AIDS pandemic is rampant, as only 1 in 10 children who require ARV treatment are able to receive it.

Ann M. Veneman, Executive Director for UNICEF said, 'There is an urgent need to help children impacted by HIV/AIDS.'

Veneman added, 'Unite For Children, Unite Against Aids, is focused on ensuring treatment for HIV-positive children, prevention of mother-to-child transmission and assisting children who have been orphaned by AIDS. We must build momentum to achieve positive results for children.'

According to UNICEF's report, AIDS causes the death of nearly 2.9 million people around the world annually. Early diagnosis and treatment have to be provided to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS. The report says, number of children under age 15 infected by HIV in 2005 was approximately 380,000.

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The UNICEF organization functions by voluntary contributions and has been serving children around the world for the past 60 years.

Source-Medindia
PRI/S