“I don’t know how long it will take but research must continue till we have the vaccine,” she tells Newsline. “We now know a lot about the obstacles in developing the vaccine. (And though) we do not know the best treatment plan for patients with co-infections like TB and Hepatitis, what we do know is research must continue.”

Working without the perfect vaccine, Barre-Sinoussi says there is a need for new approach to treatment of the deadliest disease. She says use of Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART) on HIV-negative patients might be the next step in fighting the HIV-AIDS epidemic. “We need a new approach and there are promising results from studies underway in many countries that ART given to non-infected persons is good intervention.”

It is important for high-burden countries like India — with over 2.5 million HIV-infected — to introduce advanced technology in national plans, especially in monitoring and surveillance of people living with HIV and its co-infections, she says. “Screening has to be advanced when it concerns such a huge population. Though it may be expensive, the government has to weigh the cost of technology against the cost of disease burden.

“It will help if international effort is consistent and funds are channelised in using the best screening procedures; the focus should be on early diagnosis.”

On the national policies for prevention of HIV-AIDS, she emphasises on the need for a political will. “We did not know where to begin when I started work in Cambodia, in 1995. But by 2008, the country had 50 sites for patients with opportunistic infections and antiretroviral treatment, 26 sites for paediatric HIV care, and four sites for monitoring CD4+ counts. “They will soon be able to cover everyone who needs treatment just because the government is willing. This is not only improving the health of HIV-infected people but also those with other diseases, such as tuberculosis.”