What is HIV and AIDS?

The MDGs are significant because they bring together all the commitments made by
countries over the last few years in one single, concise agreement. Most importantly,
“they recognise the interdependence of poverty, growth and sustainable development”
(UNDP, 2009).
China has made great progress towards achieving its MDGs. For example, the number of
people living in absolute poverty has decreased from 85 million in 1990 to 25.1 million by
the end of 2004 (UNDP, 2009). In terms of Goal No 6, although the epidemic is expanding,
the rate is slowing. The Chinese Government have over the last few years worked hard to
raise public awareness of HIV and AIDS. There is great commitment by the Government
to achieve these goals. For more information visit MDGs in China :: United Nations
Development Programme :: China
Possible effects of HIV and AIDS on international development targets
Development goal Effect of HIV and AIDS Global and national impact
Reduction by one-half of AIDS increases poverty especially Will slow global progress, some
proportion of people living in at the household level, and has national impact but main impact
extreme poverty by 2015 serious impact on human capital at community/ household level.
Goal hard to achieve
Universal primary education in Impact on supply of education Worst affected countries will see
all countries by 2015
through teacher deaths and declining enrolment especially
resources, on demand side among most vulnerable groups.
through uptake especially of Goal harder to achieve in some
female volunteers
countries
Demonstrated progress towards Girl children most likely to be kept Disparity will not be reduced
gender equality, women’s out of school to provide care or without targeted intervention.
empowerment by eliminating
disparity in primary and
secondary education by 2005
when resources are limited Goal harder to achieve
Reduction by two-thirds in the Infant and child mortality will The target will not be met and in
mortality rates for infants and continue to increase for the next some countries there will be
children under age five by 2015 decade and possibly longer deterioration over the period
Reduction by three-quarters in
maternal mortality
Access through the primary
health care system to
reproductive health services for
all individuals of appropriate
ages and no later than 2015
Little impact recorded to date No impact recorded
Demand from HIV and AIDS
patients will put pressure on the
public health care system,
additional human and financial
resources required
Will require more resources than
previously envisaged. Goal may
be more difficult to achieve
Implement national strategies Little impact recorded to date, but Not yet known
for sustainable development in may be some – and surprising,
all countries by 2005 to reverse e.g. loss of skills, increased
the loss of environmental demand for wood for cremation or
resources by 2015
land for burial
(Source: HIV & AIDS and Development, Learning from Development: An opening learning pack for
VSO volunteers, A. Butler, 2003)
The impacts of HIV can be felt at different levels ranging from individual level to a national
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