HIV/AIDS goals and results
One of the pandemics which have been threat for humanity on the Earth is HIV AIDS. Four decades have past when the first case of the threatening AIDS was reported. Despite 40 years of significant progress to contain it, the HIV epidemic has been still threatening many regions since its outbreak. However, the best part is that dozens of nations across the world have achieved the 2020 targets of containing HIV AIDS, says report. This is brewing new hopes for other parts of the globe.
Despite making “great strides” since the first AIDS case was reported 40 years ago, it’s a “tragic reality” that the most susceptible parts are still in trouble, said the UN General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir. Under-investment remained the key reason for falling short of “global targets set out five years ago”, Bozkir asserted. AIDS-linked deaths see a fall by 61 percent since their peak in 2004. However, fast-track the international response is the key to eradicate this pandemic.
HIV/AIDS goals and results: Epidemic of inequalities
The Covid-19 outbreak, conflict and humanitarian emergencies have halted the fight against AIDS. Medical and health systems are currently under enormous pressure, with disruption in critical services and supply chains. Climate-related calamities continue to present additional risks most vulnerable in the HIV-prone regions. This triggers stigma and discrimination and further contributes to isolating the marginalized. In short, AIDS is an epidemic of inequalities.
In order to end AIDS by 2030, world needs to end inequalities, Bozkir said. World must be re-committed to end AIDS epidemics in order to deliver the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, he added. In 2020, women and girls contributed to half of those newly infected with HIV across the world. Furthermore, six out of every seven newly-infected those aged between 15 and 19 in sub-Saharan Africa, were girls, he informed.
Half the AIDS/HIV infected in 2020 are females
Women must feel free to exercise human rights, make own decisions, and live life of dignity and respect, Bozkir said. As many as 12 million people globally are living with HIV in current times. He acknowledged the need foundation for a society where women can feel safe, and take their rightful place in every walk of life. That’s possible only through equal access to classroom. He stressed the need of “urgent action” to save them from death of AIDS-linked causes.
UNAIDS Executive-Director Winnie Byanyima said, “AIDS is not over”, as infection rates are not in line with the once-committed trajectory. Byanyima called an AIDS death every minute an emergency, and warned the world of risk of a resurgent pandemic. UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J Mohammed praised people who stand up for human dignity. AIDS can end only by ending of intersecting injustices that cause new HIV infections and stop humans from accessing services, she said.
Stop discriminating people, start creating services
UN Messenger of Peace Charlize Theron asked people to stop blaming, shaming and discriminating against people who need services to survive. Instead, she suggested people to start creating the enabling atmosphere offering real help and hope to those in need. Vulnerable and key populations is most likely to become HIV-positive, but least likely to have access to essential services to survive, she agreed. Blaming the system and mindsets, she said this “doesn’t happen by accident, but by design”.
Earlier in November last year, UNAIDS warned of hundreds of thousands of additional infections and deaths related to Covid-19 pandemic. The UN agency urged nations to adopt ambitious new targets in order to undertake HIV-AIDS and avoid more infections and deaths. UNAIDS report projected an additional 300,000 new HIV infections between then and 2022. Also, up to 148,000 more AIDS-linked deaths are likely due to Covid-19 pandemic’s long-term effect on HIV response worldwide.
