adminShamiso Yikoniko in Amsterdam, Netherlands
THE world is being challenged to renew its sense of urgency around the global Aids response, as dwindling funding takes centre stage here during deliberations at the International Aids Conference.
Global development assistance for HIV and Aids has declined by nearly $3 billion between 2012 and 2017.
As a result, high new HIV infections, inadequate access to antiretroviral treatment for millions of people, lack of legal protection and services for women, and neglect of proven prevention methods have become a cause of concern.
Zimbabwe has a current shortfall of $18 million to sustain its efforts in the fight against HIV.
Annually, one million die of Aids-related causes and 1,8 million people become newly-infected with HIV around the world — a staggering human tragedy that few people are talking about.
As Amsterdam welcomes over 15 000 conference delegates, a campaign banner by the Aids Healthcare Foundation (AHF) titled “Keep the Promise” is a gentle reminder that there is still much to be done in the global fight against HIV and Aids.
AHF Africa Bureau Chief Dr Penninah Iutung said the campaign is meant to remind conference attendees and city residents of how dire the global situation remains despite more than three decades of progress.
“At a time when HIV is no longer perceived by the majority of people in North America and Western Europe as a crisis, it remains a deadly virus in many parts of the world,” said Dr Iutung.
“While the number of new infections remain high and the need for access to anti-retroviral treatment keeps growing the amount of money available to provide services, medicines and clinical care for people living with HIV is decreasing.”
Health and Child Care ministry’s AIDS and TB unit director, Dr Owen Mugurungi feels that dwindling global funding for HIV is a cause for concern.
“Most developing countries, Zimbabwe included, are relying much on the Global Fund and other international donors in the fight against HIV and Aids but we also call on Government to chip-in and complement such efforts,” he explained.
“The money we receive isn’t enough to cater for 2018-2020 programmes. We are, therefore appealing to the world to stop retreating on global Aids funding. HIV is a global epidemic that requires a global effort to overcome.”
In light of the epidemic’s trajectory and global funding challenges-despite optimistic reports highlighting progress as part of the global 90-90-90 strategy to end Aids by 2030-AHF says a critical look at the accuracy of the global epidemiological data is needed, along with the re-examination of many practical problems that still remain in rolling out treatment, testing and prevention services to millions of people, many of whom are socially and economically marginalised.
In Zimbabwe, 74 percent of people living with HIV (15-64 years) report knowing their HIV status. And among people living with HIV (15-64 years) 86 percent are currently on ART.
Online Reporter