Topic: HIV/AIDS
Country: Belgium
Delegate Name: Griffin Ransom
School: Williamston High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Belgium position papers GLIMUN 2018 committees
Around 37 million people worldwide have diagnosed with HIV. HIV weakens the immune system. There is no cure for HIV/AIDS; someone who contracts HIV will have it for the rest of their life, with everyone who has HIV only 70% of people know they have it. The most common ways HIV is transmitted from person to person is unprotected sexual intercourse, sharing needles or injection equipment, blood transfusions, and mother-to-child transmission through pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. People infected with HIV carry the virus in their body fluids, including blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk. Symptoms are not a good indicator of HIV infection, because many people don’t experience any symptoms for many years. Even if you look and feel healthy, you could still be infected. If HIV is allowed to progress the victim will recieve AIDS, which is the most advanced and severe stage of HIV. Medical research has also expanded the availability for people to test if they have been diagnosed with HIV. Statistics from 2011 show that 24,506 people had HIV, then only 4,181 developed AIDS. 49.6% of the diagnosed cases were transmitted through heterosexual contact, Secondly, HIV cases transmitted through sexual contact among men were at 46.6%. Third, 1.3% of HIV cases were transmitted through injected drug use. And 1.0% of HIV cases were transmitted from mother to child. Unlike other countries in Europe, Belgium offers HIV testing by all practitioners, clinics, hospitals, and student services. Not taking into account the people who are not aware of their infection, there are an estimated 20,000 people who are infected. In 2014, Belgium launched a strategic plan on HIV that has three central pillars, HIV prevention; testing and treatment; and care and support. Despite relatively low numbers of people living with HIV in Belgium, the AIDS epidemic remains a concern as the rate of new HIV infections has not declined in recent years. Belgium proceeds to go with their plan they made in 2014, the plan was developed through a highly consultative process with the engagement of a range of actors including people living with HIV, key populations, medical professionals, community activists and national authorities. Belgium also wants to continue their availability for testing citizens to see if they have been diagnosed, if so give them the treatment and care they need. Belgium hopes that most or all countries within the EU support what actions they are taking towards HIV and AIDS and would be interested in taking a stand with Belgium to make even more and stronger actions in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
