Anti-retroviral HIV treatment given to three million people

Almost a million more people received antiretroviral treatment (ART) for HIV in 2007 than in the previous year, a new report has found.

The joint study between the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNAIDS and Unicef shows that now almost three million people in low and middle income countries receive ART.

A number of factors including reductions in drug prices, advanced delivery systems and a raised demand have been attributed for the increase in figures.

The report says the findings mirror the target figures of the 3 by 5 Initiative, which aimed to provide the same results in 2005.

Even though the three million figure was met two years later than planned it was the earlier initiative that kick-started the improvement in ART treatment, according to the authors.

Dr Margaret Chan, director-general of the WHO, said: "This proves that, with commitment and determination, all obstacles can be overcome. People living in resource-constrained settings can indeed be brought back to economically and socially productive lives by these drugs."

Aids charity Avert estimates that around 33.2 million people worldwide were infected with the HIV virus at the end of 2007.