NAIROBI -07 July 2010-(All Africa)-Africa is succeeding in the war on AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis,
African Union ministers say.

In a recent progress report, the ministers say there is increased funding
for programmes targeting the three diseases, and reduction of new AIDS
infections in high prevalence countries.

Increased number of health facilities providing voluntary HIV counseling and
testing, and rising number tests in recent years was also noted as good
signs.

The report on the AU Conference of Ministers on Health assessed how the
continent was faring on with programmes to increase access to health
services.

Dubbed, Five-Year Review of the Abuja call for Accelerated Action towards
Universal Access to HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Services by 2010, the
report was published ahead of an AU meeting to take place later this month
in Uganda.

Malaria deaths had reduced due to artemisin treatment coupled with increased
supply of treated nets and indoor residual spray, says the report.

"At the end of 2009, six AU member states had reached the goal of allocating
15 per cent or more of their national budgets to health," it said on
funding.

That goal is among others agreed on by AU health ministers under the Abuja
Declaration of 2001 (a set of health goals for African countries) and later
the Abuja Call, reached in 2006.

The report, which covered the last four years, also notes that more than
half of African countries had allocated at least nine per cent of their
national expenditures to health.

The report will be tabled for adoption at the AU assembly, which will
discuss Africa's progress on health Millennium Development Goals.

It recommends, among others, that the deadline for meeting the Abuja
Declaration be extended to 2015. It also asks African countries to ensure
timely access to appropriate, effective diagnosis, treatment care and
support for the three diseases.

Online at: http://allafrica.com/stories/201007050258.html

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