Alliance calls for unity over HIV

A united front in the battle against HIV has been called for by the International HIV/AIDS Alliance.

This comes just days before governments from around the world meet in Vienna to discuss international drug issues and set new policies.

The Alliance hopes that the conference will be a positive step that will have an impact on drug use and reduce the number of HIV sufferers in the long-term.

However, it is worried that there may not be agreement on all sides and so has called for unity and compromise.

Susie McLean, senior advisor on HIV and drug policy at the Alliance, said: "We are very concerned. There is an opportunity here to tackle HIV rates amongst injecting drug users."

Ishwar Haobam, from SASO, a HIV prevention service that works closely with the Alliance, added: "We need an environment that ensures that harm reduction strategies are not compromised and people can receive all the support they need to prevent themselves from contracting HIV and passing it to others."

The Alliance estimates that there are 33 million people around the globe currently living with HIV.

News brought to you by Global health TV, covering the issues of health in the developing world