Guatemala, 8 mar (EFE).-some 560,000 women and girls living with the Virus of human immunodeficiency (HIV) in Latin America, said today in Guatemala the director of the Joint United Nations programme on HIV / AIDS (UNAIDS), César Antonio Núñez.
Núñez, representative for Latin America of UNAIDS opened today a two day visit to Guatemala to deal with the authorities, new strategies to fight this global epidemic.
Through a press release, Nuñez said that in the region 560,000 women and girls living with HIV, representing 36% of all people who have the virus in Latin America.
“Imbalances of power, gender discrimination and violence against women” are some of the causes of the HIV infection, said.
During the two days that will stay in Guatemala, the director of UNAIDS intends to meet with the Ministers of health, Francisco Arredondo; and Vice President Roxana Baldetti education, Cynthia of the Eagle, and external relations, Harold Caballeros.
The Office of UNAIDS in Guatemala explained in a statement that Núñez visit aims to “move to the new authorities the key role of Guatemala in the response to HIV in Latin America”, as well as “address new strategies against HIV”.
“Joint efforts to reach a Guatemala with zero new infections, zero stigma and discrimination and zero deaths related to AIDS, will be the subjects to be dealt with during the stay of Núñez in the country,” he added.
According to official figures, more than 17,000 Guatemalans have been infected of HIV in recent years, but less than half of that figure is treated with antiretroviral drugs by the State. EFE
