🎗️ Biggest setback in decades: The new UNAIDS report Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response warns that the global fight against HIV has faced its toughest challenge yet. Cuts to international funding this year have plunged prevention programs into crisis.
📉 Funding plunge: External health assistance in 2025 is down 30-40% compared to 2023, according to the OECD. Clinics in low- and middle-income countries are struggling to keep essential services running.
🚫 Prevention programs hit hardest:
- Shortages of HIV prevention medicines
- Sharp declines in voluntary medical male circumcision
- Dismantling of support for adolescent girls and young women, including mental health and gender-based violence services
🔮 Risking 2030 targets: UNAIDS warns that missing the 2030 Global AIDS Strategy goals could mean 3.3 million more new HIV infections between 2025 and 2030.
🌍 Where we stand:
- 40.8 million people living with HIV worldwide
- 1.3 million new infections in 2024
- 9.2 million people still lack access to treatment
🗓️ With World AIDS Day on December 1 just days away, UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima reminds us:
“This is our moment to choose. We can allow these shocks to undo decades of hard-won gains, or we can unite behind the shared vision of ending AIDS. Millions of lives depend on the choices we make today.”
🤝 The report urges renewed solidarity, investment, and innovation to ensure no one is left behind in the fight to end AIDS. The choices we make today will shape tomorrow’s outcomes.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
