Aids epidemic is far from over

There has been visible progress in the global fight against Aids. Current estimates show the number of Aids cases worldwide dropped from almost 40 million to 33.2 million since last year. Having said that, World Aids Day which was marked on Saturday is a reminder that the Aids epidemic is far from over.

To launch the 20th World Aids Day, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon made a speech at a midnight ceremony in New York in which he called on governments around the world to allow universal access to HIV prevention and treatment programmes.

He rightly referred to the disease as a social issue, a human rights issue, and an economic issue that "targets young adults, just as they should be contributing to economic development, intellectual growth and bringing up the children".

Tackling Aids might be the toughest health assignment the world has faced, as various top health experts have said. Alarmingly, last week's report from UNAids and the World Health Organisation warned that the disease was still spreading and many countries were on the verge of fresh epidemics.

By keeping the battle against Aids in the public eye, the chances of treating and slowing the spread of the disease are far greater.