Modern AIDS drugs, made by companies such as Abbott and Pfiser, will save lives in Africa - however imperfectly the beaurocracy over there distributes the pills.
Incorrectly put. Money put to that use will merely delay death. Not save life.
Stopping the spread of AIDs is the key.
Not true. AIDS drugs delay the inevitable and do some good in managing symptoms. But there is not, I repeat NOT, a cure for AIDS at this time.
Until the health beliefs and sexual culture of Africa changes, AIDS infections will continue. The vast majority of Africans refuse to believe the facts of AIDS transmission because it runs counter to their cultural belief systems of illness and disease. Therefore, for example, African men with AIDS continue to pay the male relatives of young virgin girls large sums of money to have sex with the girls because their folk medicine tradition says this will "cure" them. Billions of dollars have already been wasted on educational efforts and mass condom distributions by international health organizations that have failed to curb the statistical nightmare of AIDS in Africa.
It's a depressing situation and one with no immediate signs of relief. Because I understand that throwing money at AIDS drugs, which the people will probably not be compliant in taking anyway, does not mean that I "don't care." It's the liberal way to feel good about intent rather than results. Until a critical mass of culturally influential Africans - I don't mean political or social leaders, I mean local people who are respected within individual neighborhoods and such - take steps to model the positive behavioral changes that will result in a decrease in AIDS transmission, the AIDS epidemic will continue. The people themselves must lead others to make these massive changes in their prevailing culture and day-to-day lives. Nothing else is going to work.