The Politics of AIDS

The 16th International AIDS conference was in Toronto this past week, marking 25 years since the world first heard about HIV/AIDS and the disease that became de rigeur in the 1980s. But to think that government had anything to do with bringing this disease to the mainstream of health care would be incorrect. It was a grassroots movement that brought it to the forefront of health issues in the 20th Century. It was the Arts community issuing red ribbons at the Tony Awards in 1991; it was June Callwood, a Canadian writer and activist, who lobbied to open the first AIDS Hospice in Toronto. The Gay Community opened its collective hearts and took the disease seriously because people were dying. These simple initiatives were not led by government. They were led by working people who argued for government support. Ironically, they are still asking for it.
 
Now, 25 years later, Bill Gates proves that the battle against the disease is still not being done effectively by governments. It's being done by dedicated health specialists, volunteer caregivers and NGAs. Government, as always, is usually 6 months behind the rest of us and as a result drags its collective feet when it comes to leading the battle against AIDS. It's no coincidence that the slogan for the 2006 Conference is "Time To Deliver". Gates's donation of $500 million embarrassed most governments, including his own, in the fight against AIDS.
 
Clearly, the world is ready to move forward against this disease. But are governments going to lead or follow?  As Margaret Mead once said, "A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." She was right.
 
That's just my opinion. I could be wrong.