Africa has the highest levels of HIV infection in the world, over 22 million HIV positive people, with two-thirds of the global total living in sub-Saharan Africa.

Infection rates continue to rise, leading to more lives being lost and increasing numbers of children losing their parents. The disease is putting enormous strain on communities and limiting the continent’s economic and social development. Goal 6 of the Millennium Development Goals specifically targets HIV/AIDS, yet research suggests that many of Africa’s countries still have considerable work to do to meet the goals.

Almost 4.5 million children under the age of five die in Africa each year, and average life expectancy for the continent is just 55 years.

Lack of investment into quality health care provision means a shortage of trained professionals and inadequate access to services for many Africans. Government commitments on health are numerous, but sadly efforts to reach the majority of targets are falling far short.

2010 must be a year when our leaders demonstrate Africa's humanity by meeting their commitments to provide healthcare for all their people.

Women make up 67% of Africa’s population, yet are typically disadvantaged in terms of accessing health care.

Unequal access to education and information, their position in society and the traditional responsibility to care for other family members, mean that women are at much greater risk of suffering poor health and disease than men. Childbirth, in particular, continues to be the greatest health risk facing African women.