HIV/AIDS global program unlikely to meet 2005 target

A World Health Organization initiative to provide 3 million HIV/AIDS patients with antiretroviral drugs by the end of 2005 will likely miss its target, said Director-General Dr. Lee Jong-wook, according to the Canadian Press. The "3 by 5" program required the WHO to secure funding, set up delivery mechanisms, and train enough health care workers. "The really important issue is, we might not be able to meet the 3 million target by the end of next year. Probably will not," Lee told the news service. Currently, Canada is the leading financial supporter of the "3 by 5" program, with its pledge of $100 million. "Clearly in the history of HIV/AIDS control, this will be seen as a milestone commitment," Lee said of the Canadian funding, Canadian Press reported. Lee expects the momentum of the program will continue even if the target is not reached. He said he would not characterize missing the target as a failure, and he does not expect that funding partners will see it that way either. "I don't think they will make some judgment that we failed," he said. "Together with other partners, we'll try to reach the target. But even if we don't meet the target, that should not be seen as the end of the world." Rather, the ambitious plan has galvanized efforts to provide AIDS drugs to patients in developing countries who would otherwise not have access to them, said Lee. "What I see is the pressure from people to their governments, to the international community--this will be huge. So clearly, starting moving this whole thing is very, very important," he noted. The WHO's first report on the "3 by 5" program showed as of June 30, 440,000 patients were receiving antiretroviral drugs. Organizers had expected the program to have reached the half-million mark by that time.