This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/7540122.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Global Aids forum opens in Mexico Global Aids forum opens in Mexico
(10 minutes later)
A global conference on HIV/Aids has opened in Mexico City, a quarter of a century after the disease first became widely known.A global conference on HIV/Aids has opened in Mexico City, a quarter of a century after the disease first became widely known.
Figures released ahead of the meeting reveal that the number of people with the condition around the world has gone down slightly overall.Figures released ahead of the meeting reveal that the number of people with the condition around the world has gone down slightly overall.
However, infection rates are still rising in some countries and access to the right treatment is also an issue.However, infection rates are still rising in some countries and access to the right treatment is also an issue.
Across the world 33 million people are affected by the syndrome.Across the world 33 million people are affected by the syndrome.
The six-day conference was preceded by an awareness march, a photo exhibition and other events.The six-day conference was preceded by an awareness march, a photo exhibition and other events.
About 20,000 scientists, government officials and campaigners are in Mexico City for the event.About 20,000 scientists, government officials and campaigners are in Mexico City for the event.
Worrying spreadWorrying spread
Former US President Bill Clinton is due to attend on Monday.Former US President Bill Clinton is due to attend on Monday.
Advertisement
Campaigners call for universal access to anti-retroviral treatment
Since Aids first became known, 25 million people have died.Since Aids first became known, 25 million people have died.
In one positive development, US President George W Bush recently won backing to triple US spending on combating the syndrome.In one positive development, US President George W Bush recently won backing to triple US spending on combating the syndrome.
But in some countries like Russia and China, and even Germany and the UK, the rates of infection are rising, the BBC's Duncan Kennedy reports from Mexico City.But in some countries like Russia and China, and even Germany and the UK, the rates of infection are rising, the BBC's Duncan Kennedy reports from Mexico City.
In the US, better detection methods have just shown the figures there have been underestimated by about 30%.In the US, better detection methods have just shown the figures there have been underestimated by about 30%.
And in Africa, home to 70% of cases, access to the right drugs is improving but there are not enough health care workers to administer them.And in Africa, home to 70% of cases, access to the right drugs is improving but there are not enough health care workers to administer them.
There are concerns, too about the human rights of sufferers who are often too scared to seek treatment.There are concerns, too about the human rights of sufferers who are often too scared to seek treatment.
It all means that the 17th international HIV/Aids conference has much to discuss, our correspondent says.It all means that the 17th international HIV/Aids conference has much to discuss, our correspondent says.