AIDS IN AFRICA

May 2001
		As the AIDS epidemic spreads around the world, so does the realization that a global effort is needed to stop the disease. Is there hope in the battle against AIDS? Which programs seem to be most effective? Dr. Peter Lamptey, a public health expert originally from Ghana, takes your questions.

Online Special: AIDS In Africa May 17, 2001: Positive News from Senegal About Senegal May 16, 2001: Fighting Back in Botswana May 15, 2001: The Botswana Battle About Botswana May 14, 2001: Report from Malawi About Malawi How You Can Help Browse the NewsHour's Health Spotlight.	This month, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan announced the creation of a Global Health Fund to organize and finance the fight against AIDS in the developing world. He said $7 to $10 billion is needed to fight the disease that has already claimed 17 million lives. More than 36 million people are believed to be currently infected with AIDS or HIV. That number includes 25 million people in sub-Saharan Africa alone. Since Annan's announcement, President Bush has said that the U.S. will contribute $200 million to the fund as a symbolic start. "As the president himself said, this was a founding contribution and there is a promise of more to come," Annan said on the NewsHour. "Obviously, our target is to get $7 to $10 billion additional money applied to the epidemic." How should the world address the AIDS epidemic? Is the Global Health Fund an effective approach? How would it work? Which treatment and prevention programs have the best records of success? Dr. Peter Lamptey is the director of the Implementing AIDS Prevention and Care (IMPACT) program and is the executive vice president of AIDS programs for Family Health International. FIH works in more than 60 countries on AIDS/HIV. Dr. Lamptey is from Ghana, where he was also trained as a physician. Submit your questions below, then check back here in early June for answers from Dr. Lamptey.