The gains made in the fight against HIV are at risk…
PDespite the enormous gains made in the fight against HIV, these gains are at risk of being in jeopardy as we learned from AIDS 2022 conference in Montreal and the simultaneous release of the “In Danger: UNAIDS Global AIDS Update 2022”. At the opening of AIDS 2022, Winnie Byanyima, UNAIDS executive director highlighted the extraordinary opportunities and tools to end the AIDS crisis in a matter of years, however the report indicates that there were 1.5 million new HIV infections last year.
At the same time, challenges to access lifesaving medicines contributes to high rates of AIDS related mortality. Whilst COVID-19 pandemic resulted in considerable disruption of HIV related services, there must be renewed commitment to get the global response back on track and many donors have committed to these in many areas.
AIDS 2022 highlighted scientific innovations for the delivery of self-HIV testing as the gateway to HIV prevention and treatment, management of advanced HIV disease through integrated programmes to reduce mortality and specifically funding for communities to play a bigger role within programmes to ensure that no young girl is left behind, reject HIV related punitive and discriminatory laws and that the vision and benefits of the Global South should be the same as that of the Global north to enjoy better access to HIV prevention and care. Prof Ayesha Kharsany, Senior Scientist CAPRISA. Kharsany moderated the Oral abstract session, late breaker on Epidemiology and Prevention Science.
