The African region has emerged as a global leader in the fight against HIV, achieving significant milestones in the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, according to Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa.
In a statement marking World AIDS Day 2024, Dr. Moeti commended the continent’s progress in diagnosing, treating, and achieving viral suppression among people living with HIV. Seven African countries have already met the UNAIDS targets, which aim for 95% of people living with HIV to know their status, 95% of those diagnosed to be on treatment, and 95% of those on treatment to achieve viral suppression.
“The region currently stands at 90-82-76, reflecting impressive strides in closing treatment gaps and improving health outcomes,” Dr. Moeti noted. About 21.3 million people across Africa are now on antiretroviral therapy, significantly enhancing life expectancy.
Despite bearing the highest global burden of HIV and limited resources, African nations have made remarkable progress in combating the epidemic. Dr. Moeti highlighted the transformation of the epidemic’s trajectory over the past decade, underscoring the success of sustained efforts in HIV control and response.
She also emphasized the complex nature of HIV as a health and social challenge intertwined with poverty, gender inequality, violence, stigma, and discrimination. “Protecting human rights is integral to achieving universal HIV care and dismantling these barriers,” she said.
This year’s World AIDS Day theme, “Take the Rights Path: My Health, My Right!”, underscores the need to safeguard human rights in the global push toward eliminating HIV by 2030.
Dr. Moeti applauded Botswana and Namibia for their notable success in reducing mother-to-child HIV transmission rates. Botswana has achieved silver-tier status, while Namibia has earned bronze-tier status under the Path to Elimination of HIV criteria introduced in 2017.
The region is also advancing in biomedical HIV prevention, with growing adoption of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), including oral and long-acting injectable options, as well as the dapivirine vaginal ring. However, Dr. Moeti stressed that universal access remains critical for maximizing these innovations’ impact.
Dr. Moeti underscored the importance of strengthening health systems and adopting person-centred care approaches, particularly in the face of recurring disease outbreaks that strain fragile health systems.
“Communities are key partners in co-creating strategies to address human rights-related barriers to care. We must ensure their voices are heard,” she added.
Reflecting on progress and challenges, Dr. Moeti urged ra enewed commitment to HIV elimination. “By protecting everyone’s right to health and reducing new HIV infections, we can achieve an AIDS-free generation and sustain the HIV response,” she stated.
As the global community strives toward the 2030 goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat, Dr. Moeti called on governments, civil society, healthcare providers, and communities to uphold human rights and ensure equitable access to care.
“Let us use this World AIDS Day to reflect on our progress, address the gaps, and commit to ending AIDS,” she concluded.
