UNAIDS: The First 10 Years

UNAIDS The First 10 Years226 The contribution of the United Nations systemto “3 by 5”The “3 by 5” initiative certainly strengthened the work of WHO on HIV in countriesand, stressed Jim Yong Kim, former Director of WHO’s HIV/AIDS Department, put therelationship between WHO and the UNAIDS Secretariat “in very good shape”. UNAIDSCosponsors have all contributed to “3 by 5” from their relevant areas of expertise; thevery existence of UNAIDS ensured that the initiative had a UN system-wide impact. Thecontributions of the participants are summarized below.UNHCR has been working with governments, UN agencies and nongovernmentalorganizations to provide treatment for refugees on the same basis as its availabilityto people in the host communities. UNICEF worked to improve children’s access toantiretroviral treatment and procured antiretroviral drugs and related supplies for morethan 40 countries. The World Food Programme worked with WHO to design nutritionalguidelines for people living with HIV and to expand their access to better food. UNDPworked to ensure countries’ access to affordable medicines, with a special focus on freetrade agreements on the production and importation of medicines in some regions.UNFPA has promoted the integration of counselling and testing, prevention programmesand treatment into reproductive health services. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime hasbeen advocating and recommending a full and comprehensive range of treatment andcare services for injecting drug users, who in many countries are discriminated againstand therefore do not receive treatment. The International Labour Organization promoted“3 by 5” by providing technical assistance and advisory services on workplace policies togovernments and to workers’ and employees’ organizations and the private sector. TheUnited Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has contributed to developingeducational materials on treatment and supporting educators through strengthenedteacher training. The World Bank contributes major financial resources, as reported earlier,but also provides technical assistance, capacity building, monitoring and evaluation andother services according to a country’s specific needs.The “3 by 5” initiative brought together a wide range of players – more than 200organizations were involved in the initiative. Zackie Achmat from South Africa’s TreatmentAction Campaign (TAC), speaking after attending the Global Partners’ meeting in May2004, said: “Why support “3 by 5”? This is the first time atheists like me can sit in the sameroom with Muslims and Christians to discuss treatment. This is the first time I see brandname pharmaceutical companies sit together with generic drug manufacturers to pursuea common goal” 24 .24WHO (2004). “3 by 5” Newsletter. WHO, Geneva.