British singer Elton John called this Wednesday to “push the gas pedal” in the global fight against AIDS, in a telematic intervention before the Foreign Committee of the US Senate.

In his address, he warned that much remains to be done, despite the fact that mortality from this disease has decreased 60% in 20 years.

“We have the tools to turn the tide and the growing leadership, potential and ingenuity that is taking the best and making it better and more sustainable, but we need to keep our finger on the pulse,” he said.

Executor appeared at a meeting on the President’s Emergency AIDS Initiative (Pepfar), promoted in 2003 by then President George W. Bush (2001-2009) and through which, since its inception, the EU. has invested over $100,000 million in over 50 countries.

Elton John, who founded his own HIV-AIDS foundation in 1992, thanked American leadership for this.

” Pepfar platform not only made HIV a chronic disease for tens of millions, It has evolved to fight the coronavirus and has made countries better prepared for any future virus nightmare.”noted the artist, the interpreter of such hits as “Your song”, “Rocketman” or “Don’t let me set the sun”.

In his virtual speech, he urged vigilance: data from the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) cited by the singer indicate that “progress is staggering, with one AIDS death and three new HIV infections every minute” . .

“Young people not born into the horrors of AIDS need a wake-up call, accurate information and the power to use it,” said Elton John, realizing the need to convey “messages that are relevant to them” and use the media, which they use like the internet.

The young people, he added, are “incredible. We just have to give them the tools to help them help themselves.”

The singer was also grateful that over the past 20 years, Pepfar has saved 25 million lives and cut the number of HIV infections by half.

He stressed that prior to its implementation “Africa was in free fall”, in some communities half of the adults were HIV-positive, while in others 80% of pregnant women were infected.

“Part of Pepfar’s strength lies in demonstrating the art of the possible,” he said of the program, for which the US Congress plans to revise a new permit this year, the fourth since its inception.

(EFE)