With less than two years left, the world is facing a major setback in its efforts to meet the 2025 HIV prevention target of fewer than 370,000 new HIV infections annually. With 1.3 million new HIV infections reported in 2022 alone, it is imperative that global prevention efforts be accelerated. One cannot stress how urgent this is.
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With the help of UNAIDS and UNFPA, the Global HIV Prevention Coalition is striving to guarantee that influential policymakers and program implementers have a strengthened and ongoing political commitment to primary prevention. Notably, since 2010, significant progress has been made in lowering the number of new HIV infections by over 70% in nations like Botswana, Cameroon, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
Existing Disparities
However, disparities persist across different populations and regions. Key populations, including sex workers, men who have sex with men, and people who inject drugs, have not observed significant declines in new HIV infections. Furthermore, the global statistics reveal alarming numbers, with 4,000 new HIV infections occurring among adolescent girls and young women aged 15-24 years every week, with 3,000 of these occurring in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Inadequate Approaches and Investments
Current approaches and investments for HIV prevention fall short of meeting global targets. The need for an effective response is underscored by the HIV Prevention Leadership Forum, which brought together directors of National AIDS Coordinating Agencies, Ministry of Health HIV leads, and development partners. This collaboration aims to reinforce commitments to halt new HIV infections and enhance the implementation of expanded HIV programs, particularly targeting key and priority populations.
Empowering National Responses
In a bid to fortify national commitments, the meeting facilitated the identification of actions to be pursued in 2024, alongside technical-level strategies for program optimization. Moreover, donors and global technical partners explored opportunities for providing technical and financial resources at the country level to complement national efforts and drive action plans.
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The imperative of tailored solutions was emphasized by Her Excellency Monica Geingos, the first lady of Namibia and UNAIDS Special Advocate for Adolescent Girls and Young Women. She urged country leaders to adapt solutions that align with their national cultural, socioeconomic, and political contexts while strengthening global collaborations and partnerships across sectors within their countries.
Leadership and Community Participation
Leadership at both governmental and community levels is emphasized as vital for success in HIV prevention. Prof. Sheila Tlou, the Global Prevention Coalition co-chair and former Minister of Health of Botswana, emphasized the importance of following science, making data-driven decisions, and ensuring community leadership and participation in HIV prevention programming to bridge disparities and expedite progress.
Dr. Ruth Laibon Masha, Co-Chair of the HIV Multi-Sector Leadership Forum, stressed the need to fortify gains made by exceptional leaders from various sectors in advancing the HIV movement. Emphasizing the importance of working collaboratively, she highlighted the goal of delivering a future free of new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths.
International Commitments
Vice Minister of National Disease Control and Prevention Administration (NDCPA) affirmed China’s commitment to bolstering multi-sectorial leadership and promoting a nationally led HIV prevention and health agenda
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SOURCE:
MYJOYONLINE- "Government Leaders Reaffirm Their Commitment to Accelerate HIV Prevention Efforts To Reduce New HIV Infections"
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