Latest news with #CrisisandthePowertoTransform
The Citizen
a day ago
- Health
- The Citizen
Global HIV gains at risk as funding crisis sparks urgent call to action
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/Aids (UNAIDS) released a report on Thursday highlighting a significant funding crisis threatening years of progress in the fight against HIV/Aids. The 2025 Global Aids Update report titled Aids, Crisis and the Power to Transform, emphasises the urgent need for countries to implement radical changes in their HIV programming and funding strategies. The report highlights the impact that the sudden, large-scale funding cuts from international donors are having on countries most affected by HIV. Yet, it also showcases some inspiring examples of resilience, with countries and communities stepping up in the face of adversity to protect the gains made and drive the HIV response forward. Some 25 of the 60 low- and middle-income countries included in the report have indicated increases in domestic budgets for their HIV responses in 2026. The estimated collective rise among the 25 countries amounts to 8% over current levels, translating to approximately US$180 million (over R3.193b) in additional domestic resources. 'This is promising, but not sufficient to replace the scale of international funding in countries that are heavily reliant,' the report says. Global emergency Although there was significant progress in the HIV response in 2024, UNAIDS reported that a weakening consensus on aid and substantial, sudden funding shortfalls in 2025 caused widespread disruptions in health systems. These challenges led to cuts in frontline health workers, halted HIV prevention programmes, and jeopardised HIV treatment services. According to data, in Mozambique alone, over 30 000 health personnel were affected. In Nigeria, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) initiation has plummeted from 40 000 to 6 000 people per month. If United States-supported HIV treatment and prevention services collapse entirely, UNAIDS estimates that an additional six million new HIV infections and four million additional Aids-related deaths could occur between 2025 and 2029. 'This is not just a funding gap – it's a ticking time bomb. 'We have seen services vanish overnight. Health workers have been sent home, and people, especially children and key populations, are being pushed out of care,' said UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima. Even before the large-scale service disruptions, the reported data for 2024 shows that 9.2 million people living with HIV were still not accessing life-saving treatment services last year. Among those were 620 000 children from birth to 14 years living with HIV but not on treatment, which contributed to 75 000 AIDS-related deaths among children in 2024. In 2024, 630 000 people died from Aids-related causes, 61% of them in sub-Saharan Africa. Over 210 000 adolescent girls and young women, aged 15 to 24, acquired HIV in 2024 – an average of 570 new infections every day. UNAIDS said HIV prevention services are severely disrupted, while community-led services, which are vital to reaching marginalised populations, are being defunded at alarming rates. In early 2025, the organisation said over 60% of women-led HIV organisations surveyed had lost funding or were forced to suspend services. The United States President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Pepfar) reached 2.3 million adolescent girls and young women with comprehensive HIV prevention services in 2024 and enabled 2.5 million people to use HIV PrEP – many of these programmes have now stopped completely. 'Meanwhile, the rise in punitive laws criminalising same-sex relationships, gender identity, and drug use is amplifying the crisis, making HIV services inaccessible,' UNAIDS said. Beacon of hope UNAIDS said South Africa currently funds 77% of its AIDS response, and its 2025 budget review includes a 5.9% annual increase in health expenditure over the next three years, including a 3.3% annual increase for HIV and tuberculosis programmes. The South African government intends to finance the development of a patient information system, a centralised chronic medicine dispensing and distribution system, and a facility medicine stock surveillance system. Meanwhile, as of December 2024, seven countries – Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, Rwanda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe – had achieved the 95-95-95 targets: 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those are on treatment, and 95% of those on treatment are virally suppressed. The report also highlights the emergence of unprecedented, highly effective new prevention tools like long-acting injectable PrEP, including lenacapavir, which has shown near-complete efficacy in clinical trials, though affordability and access remain key challenges. Byanyima believes there is still time to transform this crisis into an opportunity. 'Countries are stepping up with domestic funding. Communities are showing what works. We now need global solidarity to match their courage and resilience.' A call for solidarity The 2025 Global AIDS Update ends with a call for the international community to unite in addressing the financing gap. It urges support for countries to close the remaining gaps in HIV prevention and treatment services, eliminate legal and social barriers, and empower communities to take the lead moving forward. UNAIDS emphasised that every dollar invested in the HIV response not only saves lives but also strengthens health systems and promotes broader development goals. Since the start of the epidemic, 26.9 million deaths have been averted through treatment, and 4.4 million children have been protected from HIV infection through vertical transmission prevention. 'In a time of crisis, the world must choose transformation over retreat. Together, we can still end Aids as a public health threat by 2030 – if we act with urgency, unity, and unwavering commitment,' Byanyima said. – Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Scoop
3 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
Global HIV Funding Crisis Risks Rising Deaths
BANGKOK/GENEVA, 11 July 2025 —UNAIDS has launched its 2025 Global AIDS Update, 'AIDS, Crisis and the Power to Transform'. It shows that a historic funding crisis is threatening to unravel decades of HIV response progress unless countries make radical programming and funding shifts. The report highlights the impact of recent large-scale cuts from international donors. Despite marked progress in the HIV response in 2024, abrupt funding shortfalls this year have halted HIV prevention programmes and jeopardized treatment services. 'This is not just a funding gap—it's a ticking time bomb,' said UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima. 'We have seen services vanish overnight. Health workers have been sent home. And people—especially children and key populations—are being pushed out of care.' Key populations are groups at higher risk of contracting HIV including men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, people in prisons and other forms of detention, sex workers and transgender people. Although several countries are increasing national budget allocations, the global HIV response cannot rely on domestic funding alone. The report calls on the international community to urgently come together to secure the required funding, support countries to close the remaining prevention and treatment service gaps, remove legal and social barriers, and empower communities. Asia-Pacific risks a ballooning HIV epidemic In 2024 there were an estimated 6.9 million people living with HIV in Asia and the Pacific. Next to Eastern and southern Africa, this is the world's largest epidemic. AIDS-related deaths have declined by half (53%) since 2010 with 150 000 lives lost in the region last year. One of four new infections globally are in Asia-Pacific. In 2024, 300 000 people were newly infected in the region. Since 2010, new HIV infections reduced by just 17 per cent. This region accounts for nine of the 32 countries where new HIV infections have risen since 2010. These are Fiji (3091%), the Philippines (562%), Afghanistan (187%), Papua New Guinea (84%), Bhutan (67%), Sri Lanka (48%), Timor-Leste (42%), Bangladesh (33%) and Lao PDR (16%). In 2024 less than quarter million people in the region took PrEP, a medication that prevents HIV infection. This is dismally short of the 8 million target. Not enough people are benefitting from tailored prevention services. About half of sex workers, one-third of men who have sex with men and transgender people and one-fifth of people who inject drugs had access to prevention services last year. Young people from key population communities remain highly vulnerable. 'Our hope to end the AIDS pandemic as a public health threat by 2030 in Asia-Pacific is now hanging by a thread! The region's incredible strides are set back when a new person is infected every two minutes!' said Eamonn Murphy, Regional Director of UNAIDS Asia Pacific and Eastern Europe Central Asia. He called on governments and the international community to urgently and adequately fund effective prevention approaches including community systems, HIV treatment, PrEP and emerging long-acting technologies. In 2024, the number of people newly diagnosed with HIV in Fiji tripled from 2023 levels, with preliminary data indicating that half of people on antiretroviral therapy likely contracted HIV through injecting drug use. The report includes a case study highlighting the urgent need for harm reduction services for people who inject drugs in Fiji. Another case study in the report notes that in the context of US funding cuts, the Philippines urgently needs prevention investments and programming targeting young key populations, particularly young men who have sex with men. Despite some commendable progress, more work needed around HIV testing and treatment In 2024, 79% of people living with HIV in this region were aware of their HIV status. Just two-thirds of all people living with HIV were on treatment (69%) and achieved a suppressed viral load (66%). Globally, quarter of the people living with HIV who are not yet accessing HIV treatment are in Asia-Pacific. In 2024 less than half of people living with HIV in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Fiji, Indonesia, Mongolia, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea and the Philippines were on antiretroviral therapy. 'For those who either don't have HIV services available or are too afraid to access them, there is also a crisis!' said Harry Prabowo, Coordinator of the Asia Pacific Network of People living with HIV (APN+). 'Our region's assignment to expand access to care and community support to reach those being left behind is now overdue.' Notwithstanding these challenges, the report singles out several countries in the region for commendable progress in various areas. Nepal is among just five countries worldwide that have reduced new HIV infections by more than 75% since 2010. Cambodia successfully treats almost all diagnosed people with >98% of those on treatment achieving viral suppression in 2024. Australia is within reach of the 95-95-95 testing, treatment and viral suppression targets. Thailand is among the countries with robust domestic investments, funding more than 90% of its response. Bhutan, Pakistan, Timor-Leste and Thailand plan to increase domestic allocations for the HIV response in 2026. Indonesia increased domestic HIV spending more than fourfold between 2010 and 2022. For the region as a whole, just half of the required HIV response resources are now available.
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
Stoppage of US funds likely to lead to more than 4mn AIDS deaths, says UN
NEW DELHI: Permanent discontinuation of US funds threatens to reverse gains achieved in HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention as it could lead to over four million additional AIDS-related deaths and around six million additional new HIV infections by 2029, a latest UNAIDS report says. The report, however, highlighted the remarkable efforts of communities and governments that have been key in bringing down the numbers of new HIV infections by 40% and AIDS-related deaths by 56% since 2010 – before the sudden stoppage of the US funding six months back triggered a crisis in global AIDS response. 'This is not just a funding gap – it's a ticking time bomb,' said UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima. 'We have seen services vanish overnight. Health workers have been sent home. And people – especially children and key populations – are being pushed out of care.' The 2025 Global AIDS Update, AIDS, Crisis and the Power to Transform report said a historic fund crunch is threatening to unravel decades of progress unless countries can make radical shifts in HIV programming and funding. 'Despite marked progress in the HIV response in 2024, the weakening aid consensus, and significant and abrupt funding shortfalls in the HIV response in 2025 have triggered widespread disruption across health systems and cuts to frontline health workers has halted HIV prevention programmes, jeopardising HIV treatment services,' the report said. 'In time of crisis, the world must choose transformation over retreat,' Byanyima said. 'Together, we can still end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 – if we act with urgency, unity, and unwavering commitment.'
4 days ago
- Health
Trump stopped the global fight against HIV/AIDS in its tracks. Canada can help fix it
Winnie Byanyima is trying to hold onto hope in the face of what she calls unbelievable cruelty. She is the director of UNAIDS, the United Nations agency that, until recently, was on track to meet its target of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. But now, as President Donald Trump's second administration rapidly and dramatically scales back U.S. foreign aid contributions (new window) , UNAIDS is instead predicting in a new report that there will be six million new HIV infections and four million additional deaths within the next four years alone. It's just so cruel, Byanyima told As It Happens host Nil Kӧksal. "It was not necessary to withdraw funding for life-saving services so suddenly." But these dire predictions, she says, are not set in stone. The fight against HIV/AIDS can get back on track if the international community, including Canada, steps up. Canada should lead the way, doctors say In February, the U.S. abruptly severed ties with UNAIDS (new window) effectively halting two-thirds of all international financing for HIV prevention in low- and middle-income countries. The latest report from UNAIDS — AIDS, Crisis and the Power to Transform (new window) — outlines how many of the countries impacted by those cuts have responded by increasing their own domestic HIV/AIDS treatment budgets and folding what was once the work of global charities into their local health-care systems. They're all finding innovative ways of plugging the hole, but the hole is big, Byanyima said. Let's not make mistakes about it. We do need all the countries of the world to maintain their support to fight and end this disease. Public health experts in this country say Canada should lead the way. A child is treated at the Tudun Gambo Primary Health Care Center in Bauchi State, Nigeria, one of many clinics that is reliant on U.S. aid. Photo: Reuters / Sodiq Adelakun Dr. Eric Arts is the Canada Research Chair in viral control at Western University in London, Ont., where he also heads up the school's partnership with the Joint Clinical Research Centre, a Ugandan research institute and health clinic. Through that work, he's seen first-hand the impact of the U.S. funding freeze: Mass layoffs, financial uncertainty, patients stopping and starting their treatment haphazardly based on the whims of faraway bureaucrats. Still, he says it's time to look inward, not outward. There's always too much emphasis on blaming the U.S., Arts told CBC. I mean, yes, they're the root of the problem now. But we have a solution. And the solution is easy. Canada, he says, should double its funding to the Global Fund (new window) — the international organization that distributes funds worldwide to combat HIV, tuberculosis and malaria — and push other G7 countries to do the same. In 2022, Canada increased Global Fund contributions by 30 per cent, pledged $1.21 billion for 2023 to 2025. But it's still a drop in the bucket compared to the roughly $8 bllion the U.S. pledged at the same time (new window) , and which is unlikely to be renewed. WATCH | B.C. doctor predicts millions of deaths because of U.S. aid cuts: Début du widget Widget. Passer le widget ? Fin du widget Widget. Retourner au début du widget ? 'An act of criminal negligence' Dr. Julio Montaner, executive director of the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, agrees. He was one of the people who helped develop the multi-drug cocktail of antiretrovirals that have become the gold standard for HIV treatment, and he helped establish the criteria the UN uses for its 2030 target. For a long time, he says, that made in Canada strategy was working worldwide. Fewer people were contracting HIV, and thanks to antiretrovirals, people living with HIV were not transmitting it. A huge part of that, he says, was because of the funding from the President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR), which has financed about 70 per cent of the global AIDS response since it was founded in 2003 by former president George W. Bush. PEPFAR is also on the U.S. chopping block (new window) . Walking away from that commitment on a short notice and without a plan is an act of criminal negligence, Montaner said. I demand that my country actually raises the flag and demonstrates that we can do it in Canada, and support the world. Because, in four years, the Americans are going to wake up. And if we don't cover for the absence, the world is going to be much, much worse than it is today. Trump himself has called on other countries to pick up the slack from his cuts, which he described as devastating. The United States always gets the request for money, he said in May. (new window) Nobody else helps. A global disease needs a global solution: UN director It's not solely a matter of helping people in other countries, says Arts. If Canada or any other G7 country or G20 country thinks that we can do this and not have it reach our borders, then they're crazy, he said. This will be another global pandemic if we can't, we don't, provide treatment. Global Affairs Canada was unable to respond to a request for comment before deadline. Byanyima, meanwhile, is currently in South Africa, which she says has boosted its domestic budget for HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment in the face of U.S. cuts, and is working to establish a chronic medicine dispensing and distribution system. Seeing that response, she says, gives her hope. But it's not enough. This is a global disease. It is not a disease of one country, she said. A global problem needs a global solution. Interview with Winnie Byanyima produced by Sarah Jackson
TimesLIVE
5 days ago
- Health
- TimesLIVE
Launch of 2025 Global Aids update report
New HIV infections have been reduced by 40% since 2010 and 4.4-million children have been protected from acquiring HIV since 2000. More than 26-million lives have been saved. The response to HIV is one of the most successful public health interventions in history. However, this phenomenal progress risks being reversed. Sudden, drastic cuts from a number of donors have sent shock waves through global health. UNAids' new report, "AIDS, Crisis and the Power to Transform", shows the effect the cuts are having globally. UNAids estimates that if the world does not act, there could be an additional 6-million new HIV infections and 4-million Aids-related deaths by 2029. The report highlights the measures some countries are taking to fill the gaps and sustain the response into the future. However, for many that future remains uncertain. The HIV response was forged in crisis and was built to be resilient. Communities, governments and the UN are transforming to meet this moment and deliver on the promise of ending Aids as a public health threat by 2030. The speakers are: Winnie Byanyima, executive director of UNAids and UN under-secretary-general; Aaron Motsoaledi, the minister of health; Helen Rees, executive director of the Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute (RHI); and Mbulelo Dyasi, executive director of the South African Network of Religious Leaders Living with or Personally Affected by HIV & Aids (Sanarela).
