DTMT Network

The United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has warned that if leaders fail to tackle inequalities the world could face 7.7 million AIDS-related deaths over the next 10 years.

UNAIDS further warns that if the transformative measures needed to end AIDS are not taken, the world will also stay trapped in the COVID-19 crisis and remain dangerously unprepared for the pandemics to come.

 “This is an urgent call to action,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima.

“Progress against the AIDS pandemic, which was already off track, is now under even greater strain as the COVID-19 crisis continues to rage, disrupting HIV prevention and treatment services, schooling, violence-prevention programmes and more. We cannot be forced to choose between ending the AIDS pandemic today and preparing for the pandemics of tomorrow. The only successful approach will achieve both. As of now, we are not on track to achieve either.”

Some countries, including some with the highest rates of HIV, have made remarkable progress against AIDS, illustrating what is feasible.

The UNAID has stressed that COVID-19 is undercutting the AIDS response in many places. The pace of HIV testing declined almost uniformly and fewer people living with HIV initiated treatment in 2020 in 40 of 50 countries reporting to UNAIDS. HIV prevention services have been impacted -- in 2020, harm reduction services for people who use drugs were disrupted in 65% of 130 countries surveyed.

 “It is still possible to end the epidemic by 2030,” affirmed United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres in his World AIDS Day message. “But that will require stepped up action and greater solidarity. To beat AIDS -- and build resilience against the pandemics of tomorrow -- we need collective action.”