GENEVA, Switzerland, Dec. 1 (UPI) -- The World Health Organization and UNAIDS released its plan Monday to provide anti-retroviral treatment to 3 million people living with AIDS by 2005.
The WHO initiative, known as the 3 by 5 target, is to supply AIDS medications by the end of 2005 to half of the estimated 6 million people worldwide who are in immediate need of AIDS treatment.
"Preventing and treating AIDS may be the toughest health assignment the world has ever faced, but it is also the most urgent," said Dr. LEE Jong-wook, director-general of WHO.
"The lives of millions of people are at stake. This strategy demands massive and unconventional efforts to make sure they stay alive."
The WHO program complements the commitment made by President Bush's $15 billion for enhanced AIDS response, the work of nongovernmental and faith-based groups, the efforts of pharmaceutical companies to reduce the cost of AIDS drugs and the contribution of international foundations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, according to WHO.
