lequebecfume
08-02-2008, 02:42 PM
Don't stop the fight
Letter
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Next week, researchers, community service providers, people living with HIV/AIDS and policy-makers will take part in the largest gathering of HIV/AIDS workers in the world being held in Mexico City. People will come from countries around the world to share their successes and their experiences from studying what has not worked. Among these researchers and workers, several hundred Canadians will make their way to this gathering to share their experiences. Imagine for a moment what they will have to share.
They are not going to be talking about how Canadians have managed to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS in hard-hit communities. They are not going to be touting innovative public policies focused on harm reduction and drug users.
They are not there to talk about government support for innovative responses that will stop the epidemic. These are all things Canada should be doing.
As a resource-rich country, we should be meeting the challenge domestically and internationally to respond to AIDS.
Instead, we are seeing cuts to federal funding that was set aside to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS. These cuts amount to almost $12 million.
Our widely touted Canadian HIV vaccine initiative has seen little movement, save a call for research and a production facility -- a facility to produce a product that is years, if not decades, from being discovered. We are failing people living with HIV/AIDS. We are failing people living in high-risk situations and we are protecting Canadians from an entirely preventable disease.
The theme for this year's conference is Universal Action Now. We all have a responsibility to take action. It is time for Canada to take action at home. Don't let us slip back on our commitments. Don't fail the Canadian community.
MARILYN WELLER
Windsor
http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/news/letters/story.html?id=b26e4c6e-a5fa-47af-8ee2-15b6a46d0e51
Letter
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Next week, researchers, community service providers, people living with HIV/AIDS and policy-makers will take part in the largest gathering of HIV/AIDS workers in the world being held in Mexico City. People will come from countries around the world to share their successes and their experiences from studying what has not worked. Among these researchers and workers, several hundred Canadians will make their way to this gathering to share their experiences. Imagine for a moment what they will have to share.
They are not going to be talking about how Canadians have managed to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS in hard-hit communities. They are not going to be touting innovative public policies focused on harm reduction and drug users.
They are not there to talk about government support for innovative responses that will stop the epidemic. These are all things Canada should be doing.
As a resource-rich country, we should be meeting the challenge domestically and internationally to respond to AIDS.
Instead, we are seeing cuts to federal funding that was set aside to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS. These cuts amount to almost $12 million.
Our widely touted Canadian HIV vaccine initiative has seen little movement, save a call for research and a production facility -- a facility to produce a product that is years, if not decades, from being discovered. We are failing people living with HIV/AIDS. We are failing people living in high-risk situations and we are protecting Canadians from an entirely preventable disease.
The theme for this year's conference is Universal Action Now. We all have a responsibility to take action. It is time for Canada to take action at home. Don't let us slip back on our commitments. Don't fail the Canadian community.
MARILYN WELLER
Windsor
http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/news/letters/story.html?id=b26e4c6e-a5fa-47af-8ee2-15b6a46d0e51