China News Service, Beijing, September 26th. Title: Interview with UNAIDS Representative in China: China is an important leader in the global fight against AIDS

　　Author Ma Jiajia Bo Wenwen

　　Amakobe Sande, the representative of UNAIDS in China, pointed out in an exclusive interview with a reporter from China News Agency that due to the impact of the new crown pneumonia epidemic, the 2020 global anti-AIDS target will not be achieved as scheduled, but China is actively acting within the framework of the United Nations. , Has made great progress and is an important leader in the global anti-AIDS cause.

　　The new crown pandemic strikes a fatal blow to the global fight against AIDS

　　The "2020 Global AIDS Prevention and Control Progress Report" released in July this year showed that due to uneven progress in the fight against AIDS within and among countries, the global target for AIDS that was originally scheduled to be achieved in 2020 will not be achieved.

In this regard, Ms. Sang Ailing said frankly: “The new crown pandemic has brought a fatal blow to the global anti-AIDS goal. While responding to the important new crown pandemic, we should not stop the investment, energy and motivation in the fight against AIDS”.

For example, she said, according to a study by UNAIDS and the WHO, in sub-Saharan African countries, if the anti-AIDS health service is interrupted for 6 months, this year alone will add an additional 500,000 deaths.

　　Sang Ailing explained, “In the past, a large number of HIV-infected people would go to the hospital to receive life-sustaining drugs every month, but now they have to be interrupted due to travel restrictions and insufficient medical resources. For some HIV-infected people with weaker immune systems. For those infected with the virus, they are also at higher risk of being infected by the new crown virus." She also emphasized that under the influence of the new crown pneumonia epidemic, the mental health of the people should also not be ignored.

　　Four major anti-epidemic enlightenments brought by the 40 years of global anti-AIDS

　　Sang Ailing told a reporter from China News Agency that although there are differences between the new coronavirus and HIV, there are some similarities in response.

She believes that the human experience and lessons learned in response to AIDS in the past 40 years can give four major lessons for the prevention and control of COVID-19.

　　First, it requires multi-sector unity and cooperation.

Sang Ailing pointed out, “This is not only a problem that can be solved by the health department, but also requires the coordination and cooperation of multiple departments in different fields. China’s anti-epidemic approach is a good model, showing how the entire society and government agencies And its various departments unite for real and effective coordination."

　　Second, the power of the community is needed.

Sang Ailing said that when it comes to washing hands frequently and maintaining safe social distancing, community mechanisms are needed to ensure implementation.

Because community organizations know people’s actions and habits best, "the role of community workers should not be underestimated."

　　Third, stigma and discrimination need to be eliminated.

Sang Ailing particularly emphasized that stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV are the main obstacles to ending AIDS.

"From our experience and lessons, people need to respond to the epidemic based on facts. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have also seen false information in a pandemic." She emphasized, "We must emphasize science, not let rumors and conspiracy theories create anxiety. People have the evidence and facts on how to control the disease, and the fear will disappear."

　　Fourth, a "vaccine shared by the people" is needed.

"I still remember that in the early days of the AIDS epidemic, many infected people in poor countries died because they couldn't afford the medicine." Sang Ailing said that in order to avoid a repeat of the tragedy, UNAIDS put forward the "Vaccine for People" initiative during the epidemic. .

"What this pandemic tells us is that until everyone is safe, no one is safe." Sang Ailing said, "When I heard China's promise that China's new crown vaccine will be developed and put into use as a global public When it came to the product, I was very moved."

　　"China is an important leader in the global fight against AIDS"

　　Sang Ailing fully affirmed the progress of China's anti-AIDS cause.

"China's response to AIDS has made me very excited. I am very happy that the government and social groups have taken such firm and consistent actions in their efforts to prevent and control this infectious disease and have made tremendous progress."

　　Sang Ailing, for example, said, “China has done a lot of work to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of AIDS, and the pilot projects that have started are progressing very smoothly. In addition, China has conducted approximately 270 million HIV tests in the past year. The standards are impressive."

　　Sang Ailing said that China is an important participant in global AIDS prevention and control.

China is the chair of the UNAIDS Project Coordination Committee in 2019 and a member of the Global AIDS Prevention Alliance.

China has also expressed support for AIDS prevention and control through multiple international platforms such as the China-Africa Cooperation Forum, the G20, and the Global Health Forum.

　　Sang Ailing also gave positive comments on China's contribution to the global fight against AIDS under the framework of the United Nations.

She said: "China plays a very important leading role in the international community's response to AIDS. It not only reduces the number of new HIV infections in the country, but also shares experience and provides resource support to other countries in the world."

　　Sang Ailing also specifically mentioned that with the support of UNAIDS, the China Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has organized an annual South-South cooperation technical exchange and training course on AIDS prevention and treatment since 2017 to promote in-depth exchanges and cooperation among countries in the field of AIDS prevention and treatment. .

"Every year African countries and Asian countries participate in 10 days of sharing and seminars. There are too many discussions that make me excited and full of energy, because I think these dialogues can promote the realization of a win-win situation." She said with emotion.

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