As you’d expect on a forum like this, there have been lots of blogs tackling the issues around the HIV and AIDS pandemic. I think that this is such a crucial issue effecting people in developing countries.
Jan Marcinek talked about a prevention campaign to promote condom use in his blog AntiHIVirus. He also included some stats that show the extent of the problem "There are 33,400,000 people living with HIV/AIDS (5,700,000 are from South Africa)". Iwona Frydryszak talked about testing and the importance in particular of testing children and people with mental disabilities in her blog 'HIV/AIDS testing - video'.
Then there’s the critical issue of access to anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs). Currently around 5 million people who suffer from HIV and AIDS don’t get the treatment that they need to stay alive. The biggest reason for this is because of the costs of the drugs. It prevents governments in developing countries from being able to afford to make ARVs free. Tania Rabesandratana explained how the current patent laws keep the price of ARVs high and therefore out of the reach of the poorest people. Check out her blog, ‘Improving access to affordable medicines’.
And why is this such a disgrace? Check out this video, made by Ogilvy South Africa, to support the Topsy Foundation. It shows how dramatically life changing getting ARV treatment really is.
Do you think pharmaceutical execs could see this and not think that patent laws need adjusting? Would your leader watch this and do more to achieve MDG 6?
Read my other blog: HIV and AIDS: Pass or fail
Has someone been to Starbucks lately per chance?
Thanks for reminding me to watch these videos, very moving.
Eh?
The Lazarus effect videos are currently being promoted on stand-up leaflets in outlets of Starbucks as part of the (RED) campaign - at least in London they are…
aahhh - haven’t seen them in Starbucks (interesting blog in itself!). I’ve seen some of the red campaign stuff but didn’t think it was as powerful as this film. The pictures are great but I just thoguht this film was amazing.
I agree, it is very sad that many people have no access to medicines. I had planned to write article about this.
Selinah fully supports this campaign - she wants everyone to know that she was brought back to life purely by ARV’s and her will to live.
Very moving, and I am sure it can work on every level, even on state leaders. I am glad Starbucks is using them for the (RED) campaign - strong brand also helps to reach and educate the public. Saying that UK public is still one of the most charitable ones I have seen;)
@sylwia - I agree that the Uk public are very ‘giving’ - especially in emergencies. I think that they’d be more likely to campaign if they saw how their actiopn can lead to people getting the medecine that they need…...videos like this help. as do having big brands support real change!