Executive Director of the Joint United Programme on HIV/Aids Michel Sidibé. (REUTERS)
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The Executive Director of the Joint United Programme on HIV/Aids Michel Sidibé believes a cure for Aids will be found within 10years. He was speaking at the 19th International Aids Conference in Washington in the United States.
Sidibé says the current research studies have shown great progress in finding a possible cure for this disease.
He says there is a need for further investments in HIV research. “ We are seeing progress, what we need is to mobilise science, we need to continue to invest in research because without the cure, I don't think we'll eradicate, we can end but not eradicate this epidemic, we need cure or vaccine. How far are we? I personally feel that cure is not so far, functional cure is possible probably in the six to 10 years.”
Sidibé added there is a need for further investments in HIV research.
Meanwhile Aids activists at the Aids Conference have called on countries to lift HIV travel restrictions. There are currently 46 countries, territories and areas that apply some form of restriction on the entry, stay and residence of people living with HIV.
The US was one of those countries until President Barack Obama lifted the travel ban two years ago.
South Korea has become the latest country to lift the travel ban. The International Aids Conference has welcomed South Korea's decision to lift travel restrictions on HIV-positive people.
This comes as chief executives from more than 20 multi-nationals call on governments to end the restrictions, describing them as both discriminatory and bad for business.
