John Battle Backs Calls For Aids Treatment For All By 2010

John Battle MP has today backed calls for G8 leaders to ensure AIDS treatment for all by 2010. Visiting the World’s AIDS day bus which was outside parliament today John Battle said “ I will be calling on the government to ask them to support the calls being made today to ensure that pressure is put upon the UK and EU governments to commit to the $12 billion that needs to be raised to help fights AIDS globally. I am also calling on them to support countries to be allowed to make and import affordable versions of AIDS medicines which is vital if we are to try and tackle the situation and meet the commitment of AIDS treatment for all by 2010” “ Last week at a meeting of the International Development Select Committee I raised my concerns that we are being left miles behind and the game has moved on - the viruses are adapting faster than we are. In the modern world we have moved onto second line therapies, but those are not available to two-thirds of the world – with a $12 billion target to tackle the problem, and second line therapies being four to ten times more expensive, the need is urgent if we are to be ahead of the game in fighting the battle against AIDS.”

The campaigners’ message is clear: ‘Five million people today face death because they still don't have access to the AIDS drugs we in the UK take for granted. World leaders committed themselves at the G8 summit to ensuring AIDS treatment for all by 2010. This is the only way to Make AIDS History. But too many AIDS promises have been broken, and too many people have died. So we are watching you closely to make you keep this promise.’

Thousands of people all over the country have sent their eyes to ActionAid and the Stop AIDS Campaign for World AIDS Day (1st Dec). Some have printed out close-up photos of their eyes and written personal messages on them. Others have sent them to this website. Several celebs have sent us their eyes including Joss Stone, Mel C and Annie Lennox. The aim of all these thousands of eyes ‘watching’ decision-makers, is to leave them in no doubt that we will be keeping up the pressure until everyone in the world who needs AIDS treatment gets it.

For further details on the Campaign Bus (click here).

©John Battle MP 01 December 2005