Geneva, Dec 01: Two UN agencies fighting against HIV/AIDS unveiled an ambitious programme today to provide anti-retroviral drugs to three million people in developing countries and those in transition within two years. World Health Organisation (WHO) Director General Jong-Wook Lee called the prevention and treatment of the deadly disease perhaps "the toughest health assignment the world has ever faced."

"The lives of millions of people are at stake. This strategy demands massive and unconventional efforts to make sure they stay alive," he said on world aids day, introducing the so-called "3 by 5" plan that would give half of the people worldwide in dire need of treatment a better chance at survival.

The who and UN AIDS said that their programme complemented initiatives by thousands of international foundations and non-governmental organisations, by pharmaceutical companies to lower the price of anti-retroviral drugs, and most importantly "the courageous contributions of nations increasing their people's access to AIDS treatment."

The global aids epidemic continues its deadly march forward, with UNAIDS figures released last week showing that at least 40 million people worldwide are infected with HIV or have AIDS.

Three million people died in 2003 from aids, akin to a fully-loaded Boeing 747 jumbo jet crashing about every 90 minutes.

Bureau Report