WHO's '3 by 5' target unlikely to be met

The World Health Organisation's (WHO) target of getting 3 million people in developing countries on anti-AIDS drugs by the end of this year is unlikely to be met, according to The Lancet, a British medical journal. An editorial noted that the '3 by 5' campaign did not have enough financial resources, while the number of WHO staff members assigned to the initiative was "well below what it should be". Only 30 countries had so far created treatment goals, although the initiative aimed to have 50 countries with established targets by December 2004. The commitment of India, South Africa and Nigeria was crucial if the campaign hoped to meet its overall target. The editorial commented: "For what was a modest [treatment] target, it is tragic that many of those with HIV/AIDS, who desperately need treatment, will not receive it by the end of 2005 and will die as a result."