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- REVISED CALL TO ACTION BELOW-

Universal Access to Treatment is Possible -- now, not later.

Innovative planning and implementation -- combined with committed leadership -- will make it a reality.

There are many strategies to get to universal access to treatment. Below are five points that treatment providers from around the world have identified as priorities. Please support their call to action.

Toronto Call to Action:

1. Universal Access to Treatment - To effectively combat global AIDS, all people that require treatment must have access to it. Although treatment is urgently needed universally, children have been seriously underserved and with increasing numbers of orphans and vulnerable children with HIV/AIDS, pediatric-specific care must be a priority in the development of ART formulations and provider trainings.

2. 20,000 Specialized HIV Medical Providers to Treat 10 Million - Lack of human resources remains a major obstacle to achieving Universal Access to Treatment. Specially trained HIV medical providers in parallel service with trained birthing attendants and paraprofessionals in the field are needed to supplement the extremely limited number of doctors and nurses available worldwide. Innovative clinical training programs utilize local human resources to build sustainable healthcare infrastructure.

3. One Billion HIV Tests - Convenient, free and voluntary testing must be rolled out on a massive scale globally. How can Universal Access to Treatment be achieved when 90% of those at risk do not know their HIV status.

4. $20 Billion in Resources - UNAIDS estimates $18.1 billion will be needed for 2007 and $22.1 billion will be needed for 2008 to contain HIV/AIDS globally. The lives of people living with HIV/AIDS must be made a priority by pledging what is necessary to strengthen health systems and provide Universal Access to Treatment.

5. Appropriate Policies and Pricing for ARVs in Middle Income Countries - Countries such as Mexico and India are designated middle-income countries (MICs), yet many of the people that live there are just as poor as those in the world's poorest countries--and have little hope of accessing life-saving ARVs. The prices are too high and limited licensing by pharmaceutical companies becomes a barrier. Countries designated as MICs must be allowed to access drug prices that are appropriate to the income levels of the majority of the people at risk, and pharmaceutical companies must make a greater effort to make their drugs available in all MICs--with broader licensing of branded drugs and lifting of restrictive regulations for generic medicines.

We ask you to please join in sending a strong message to policymakers and to the world watching: It's TIME TO DELIVER.

If you would like to view details on this alert, please visit here.