In a tragedy that transpired on July 17, all 298 passengers aboard the MH17 died (CBC News). Among the deceased were six illustrious researchers and activists of AIDS. The flight destined from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpu was shot down by a Buk surface-to-air missile, inevitably leading the plane to crash in a conflicted area of eastern Ukraine. Due to the pro-Russian and anti-government insurgency in the Donbass, further speculation arises as to the motives of the missile launch.
Earlier this week, the 20th International AIDS Conference in Melbourne honoured their deceased colleagues. It is believed that the six involved with AIDS prevention and research were on their way to the conference. Those killed include Pim de Kuijer of STOPAIDSNOW, Lucie van Mens, director of AIDS Action Europe, Mens’ colleague Maria Adriana de Schutter and Joep Lange, an innovator of anti-retrovirals for developing countries. World Health Organization spokesman Glenn Thomas as well as the Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development‘s Jacqueline van Tongeren were also among the deceased. (Yahoo News)
With these significant individuals aboard the aircraft, could it have been possible for the cure for AIDS to have also been aboard the flight? The researchers aboard the plane were some of the best in the world for the fight against AIDS. Yet, it cannot be known as to the extent of their discovery or potential to cure AIDS. The concern about the loss of such valuable contributors of global health, is well-deserving, to say the least. As around 12,000 scientists and activists culminated together in Melbourne, they grieved for their colleagues (CBC News). However, the conference carried on and still served its purpose to discuss global developments in research about HIV and AIDS.
Among the 12,000 attending, Bill Clinton addressed the loss of the victims by saying, “They were doing so much good.”
Although the world lost six significant members, the tragedy of these victims ties the global community closer together in the fight against the disease all around the world.
The memory of the loss of fellow colleagues was addressed by International AIDS Society president Francoise Barre-Sinoussi with the comment (as reported by Yahoo News), “We will honour their commitment and keep them in our hearts as we begin our programme on Sunday. This tragedy is probably a good sign to work again together and to continue as a tribute for our colleagues.”
