According to the World Health Organization, to reach the new proposed global 95–95–95 targets set by UNAIDS, we will need to redouble our efforts to avoid the worst-case scenario of 7.7 million HIV-related deaths over the next decade, tame the increasing HIV infections due to HIV service disruptions occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic, and arrest the slowing public health response to HIV.
Moreso, we have an estimated 38.4 million people living with HIV at the end of 2021, of whom two-thirds (25.6 million) are in the WHO African Region.
Meanwhile, despite four decades into the HIV response, it remains imperative to do more in addressing all economic, social, cultural, educational and legal inequalities exacerbating the dangers for everyone.
Inequalities still persist for the most basic services like testing, treatment, condoms, and new technologies. Young women in Africa are still disproportionately affected by HIV as dedicated combination prevention programs for adolescent girls and young women are operating in only 40% of the high HIV incidence locations in Africa. Also, only a third of people in key populations (including vulnerable and marginalized populations) have regular access to prevention.
However, paraphrasing the insightful words of the UNAIDS Executive Director, Winnie Byanyima, “we can end AIDS if we end the inequalities which perpetuate it”. All we simply need do is “Equalize” to ensure everyone is adequately served with HIV/AIDS services and other supporting health services needed for optimum health.
We stand a good chance of achieving this by reinforcing every proven practical actions required to address inequalities thereby ending AIDS. Remember, we only have eight years left before the 2030 goal of ending AIDS as a global health threat. Let’s act fast!
Happy World AIDS Day!
#worldaidsday2022 #equalize #hiv #aids #sdgs
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