that TB deaths among people living with HIV reduced by half

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As World AIDS Day approaches on December 1, next under the theme “Getting Zero” the World AIDS Campaign will be spotlighting a range of Getting to Zero initiatives to help see an end to AIDS related deaths.According to health officials, the first step in getting to zero is for all sexually active people to know their HIV status, since World AIDS Day is an excellent opportunity to emphasize the importance of making HIV testing a routine part of health care and of everyone knowing how to prevent receiving or transmitting the virus.  The event is global campaign that is set to spotlights how person’s fundamental right to health is intrinsically and inextricably linked to other basic rights – The right to food, to shelter, to freedom, to clean water and safety. Crucial too is access to affordable life saving quality medicines free from the crippling effects of excessive profit-taking.Backed by the United Nations the “Getting to Zero” campaign runs until 2015 and builds on last year’s successful World AIDS Day “Light for Rights” initiative encompassing a range of vital issues identified by key affected populations.”“Zero New HIV Infections” and “Zero Discrimination” are equally as likely to spark high impact events from small scale community vigils to nation wide events using the universally recognised shape of zeros and the power of light to get life and death issues the attention they deserve.The UN disclosed that sexual transmission of HIV reduced by half, including among young people, men who have sex with men and  transmission in the context of sex work; vertical transmission of HIV eliminated and  AIDS-related maternal deaths reduced by half; all new HIV infections prevented among people who use drugs.Reports further reveal there has been universal access to antiretroviral therapy for people living with HIV who are eligible for treatment; that TB deaths among people living with HIV reduced by half; all people living with HIV and households affected by HIV are addressed in all national social protection strategies and have access to essential care and support.The UN further noted that countries with punitive laws and practises around HIV transmission, sex work, drug use or homosexuality that block effective responses reduced by half; HIV-related restrictions on entry, stay and residence eliminated in half of the countries that have such restrictions; HIV-specific needs of women and girls are addressed in at least half of all national HIV responses; zero tolerance for gender-based violence.