We are too far from ending HIV, says Byanyima

Nov 27, 2021

She said almost 28 million people were accessing life-saving antiretroviral drugs worldwide

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Umar Kashaka
Journalist @New Vision

The executive director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Winnie Byanyima, has said they are too far from ending HIV.

"There has been tremendous progress on AIDS but we are too far from ending the HIV pandemic," she said in a tweet.

"We must end complacency and tackle the inequalities that are fuelling HIV and COVID-19," she added.

The UNAIDS boss recently said they couldn't allow the COVID-19 pandemic to hinder access to HIV testing and treatment, especially for vulnerable groups.

Byanyima said almost 28 million people were accessing life-saving antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) worldwide.

She also said they had achieved what many once said was impossible.

"Almost 28m people are accessing life-saving HIV treatment. We got here by ensuring generic production of ARVs in Africa, Asia and Latin America. We upheld people’s rights and equal access to health without discrimination,” Byanyima said.

The former Oxfam International executive director and Mbarara Municipality MP said that they have the lessons and the momentum.

“Now we need to leverage the investment of 25 years in UNAIDS and 20 years in Global Fund, end COVID-19 and be prepared to respond to future pandemics. For me this is a moment of hope because we are together and we know what to do!” she said.

She, however, noted that this is not happening for COVID-19 vaccines or the newest HIV treatment and prevention options.

“And this is creating huge inequalities and undermines progress made to end HIV, TB and malaria,” she added.

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