November 29, 2024
The World Health Organization, WHO, has disclosed that 21.3 million people are now on antiretroviral treatmen raising their life expectancy.
WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, stated this as the world marked this year’s World AIDS Day, with the theme: “Take the rights path: My health, my right”.
WTO, also announced a remarkable reductions in the number of new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths and that the number of new HIV infections was higher outside of sub-Saharan Africa for the first time in 2023.
According to Moeti, “The WHO African region is also the leading region globally in advancements towards the achievements of the 95-95-95 UNAIDS HIV testing, treatment and viral suppression targets, aimed at closing gaps in treatment coverage and outcomes.”
She disclosed that seven countries have already achieved the targets, 95-95-95 UNAIDS HIV testing, treatment and viral suppression targets with the overall rating for the region currently at 90-82-76.
She described the theme as a timely reminder of individual’s responsibility to safeguard human rights as they pursue the goal of HIV elimination by 2030.
“HIV is a complex health challenge, inseparable from social determinants such as poverty, gender inequality and violence, and complicated by stigma and discrimination, especially amongst marginalized populations. Protecting human rights is a key component of achieving universal HIV care, and breaking down these life-threatening barriers to access.
READ MORE; Beware of recalled Nivea Roll-on deodorant … NAFDAC
“World AIDS Day also provides an opportunity for reflection on the achievements. African countries have made significant progress, with the change in the trajectory of the epidemic over the past decade evidence of the notable successes in HIV control and response. This is despite having the highest HIV burden globally, and comparatively fewer resources to fight the epidemic.
She further noted that the African Region is also implementing effective biomedical HIV prevention methods, with countries quickly adopting and implementing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) recommendations, and ensuring increased access to options such as oral and long-acting injectable PrEP, and the dipivefrine vaginal ring.
She lamented that despite the increased availability of scientific knowledge and tools for preventing new HIV infections, and effectively treating people living with HIV, the value of the innovations depends on their universal accessibility and usage.
