Communities lauded for dropping dreary HIV/AIDS statistics, still 9.2 million need help

Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

December 5, 2023 – Despite progress gained in treatment over the years, HIV remains a major public health issue. This is pointed out by the World Health Organization (WHO) as we marked World AIDS day on Friday December 1, 2023.

On the day, the WHO and its international partners, recognized the resilience, dedication and innovation displayed by community leaders and organizations in the response to the HIV epidemic.

Today’s world has come a long way regarding the diseases, from the time it was first discovered, and WHO in a release expressed the growth in our response to HIV over those years.

“People living with or affected by HIV have left an indelible mark on the world with their activism,” said Dr. Tedros  Ghebreyesus, WHO Director General.

“The affected communities who fought for tools to prevent, test and treat HIV enabled 30 million people to access antiretroviral therapy, and helped to avert an unknowable number of infections,”  he added.

Additionally, today’s daily pill for HIV management has propelled treatment tenfold as those who stay on their medication, have no virus in their blood, with zero risk of transmission.

However, amid all the accomplishments and coming accomplishments regarding HIV, WHO expounds on its current nature as a public health issue, pointing out that across the globe, 9.2 million people do not have access to the treatment they need.

Also, the release mentions that every day about 1,700 people die from HIV-related causes and a massive 3,500 infected daily, many not knowing their status or having access to treatment.

Tedros highlights the dedication to end the disease as a threat saying, “We stand together with communities to help end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030,” and with the progress made, despite  current setbacks, this is indicative of hope to reach the 2030 goal.