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WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti
By JOHN NWOKOCHA, Abuja
As the world marks World Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Day, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has lamented what it described as slow progress against spread of the HIV pandemic.
“Data from WHO on the global HIV response reveals that since the start of COVID-19 and other global crises, progress against the HIV pandemic has wavered, and millions are at risk”, the Organisation warns.
Based the on current data, eradicating the virus may be a difficult task.
The WHO expresses fears that African continent might be the worst hit by the virus.
Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, said in his speech on World AIDS Day 2022, encouraged African leaders to continue the fight against AIDS, saying, “Do not let AIDS slide down the priority list in Africa.”
He said: “No other day is more appropriate for this call than today, 1 December, when we yearly come together with the global community to mark World AIDS Day”.
With theme: Equalise, WHO urges nations to address the inequalities driving the epidemic and holding back progress in ending AIDS.
“With 25.6 million people living with HIV, the African region continues to be most affected”.
Furthermore, he said, at the United Nations General Assembly high-level meeting on AIDS in 2021 world leaders adopted the political declarations on HIV and AIDS: Ending Inequalities and getting on track to End AIDS by 2030. With the declaration, heads of states and government pledged commitment to end all inequalities faced by people living with and affected HIV in communities and countries.
He noted that although progress has been made over the past decade, reducing new infections by 44% and reducing AIDS related deaths by 55%, the progress is slow. Therefore, in WHO’s conclusion inequalities persist in HIV prevention, testing and treatment services.
“Four decades into the HIV response, inequalities persist for most basic services like testing and treatment”, WHO stated.
WHO urged government and partners to close the inequality gaps in the progress towards ending AIDS, by focusing on the populations that are being left behind.
