World AIDS Day 2020

WORLD AIDS DAY 2020 GLOBAL SOLIDARITY, SHARED RESPONSIBILITY

Collaborative efforts and responsibility sharing are key during this pandemic crisis

BY SILVANUS MANYALA

WORLD AIDS DAY is set aside for partners globally to unite, renew commitment and show support for People Living with HIV and AIDS as well as remember those who have died from AIDS related illness. It is observed on the December 1 every year worldwide.

The National theme in Kenya this year is “Komesha HIV na COVID-19: Tuwajibike” derived from the 2020 World AIDS Day Global theme; “Global Solidarity, Shared Responsibility”. The theme underscores the significance of individuals, countries and the global community uniting in taking responsibility to address HIV and AIDS amidst the growing list of challenges derailing ongoing global efforts today including the COVID-19 pandemic.

HIV still remains a major global public health issue despite the efforts invested globally to control it’s spread and progress made. Like many other major health issues, the current COVID-19 pandemic further poses additional challenges. HIV prevention, testing, treatment and care services must be insistently provided to vulnerable communities in regions that are at a greater risk of HIV infection and AIDS related deaths.

“Only global solidarity and shared responsibility will help us beat the coronavirus, end the AIDS epidemic and guarantee the right to health for all,� says Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS and Under-SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations in a statement.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) there were an estimated 38.0 million people living with HIV at the end of 2019. Due to gaps in HIV services, 690 000 people died from HIV-related causes in 2019 and 1.7 million people were newly infected. As a result of concerted international efforts to respond to HIV, coverage of services has been steadily increasing. In 2019, 68% of adults and 53% of children living with HIV globally were receiving lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART).

By June 2020, 26 million people were accessing antiretroviral therapy, marking a 2.4% increase from an estimate of 25.4 million at the end of 2019.

By comparison, treatment coverage increased by an estimated 4.8% between January and June of 2019. The number of new people starting treatment is far below expectation due to the reduction in HIV-testing and treatment initiation and ARV disruptions that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Testing and treatment rates have showed steady but variable recovery towards the end of 2020. (Source: WHO) Interventions will need to focus on the populations. WHO defines key populations as people in populations who are at increased HIV risk in all countries and regions. Key populations include: men who have sex with men; people who inject drugs; people in prisons and other closed settings; sex workers and their clients; and transgender people. Prioritising key populations in the HIV response with appropriate interventions would have the biggest impact on the epidemic and reduce new infections.

HIV can be diagnosed through rapid diagnostic tests that can provide sameday results. HIV self-tests are increasingly available and provide an effective and acceptable alternative way to increase access to people who are not reached for HIV testing through facility-based services. Rapid test and selftests have greatly facilitated diagnosis and linkage with treatment and care.

There is no cure for HIV infection. However, effective prevention interventions are available: preventing mother-to-child-transmission, male and female condom use, harm reduction interventions, pre-exposure prophylaxis, post exposure prophylaxis, voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) and antiretroviral therapy (ART) which can control the virus and help prevent onward transmission to other people.

Global solidarity and shared responsibility require us to view global health responses, including the AIDS response, in a new way. It requires the world to come together to ensure that: Healthcare is fully funded domestically and by the international community Health systems are strengthened and healthcare workers protected There is access to life-saving health commodities including medicines, vaccines and diagnostics Human rights are respected to produce sustainable results for health The rights of women and girls, and gender equality, are at the centre with inclusion to decisionmaking processes.

As students in the healthcare space, it is prudent that we be aware of our roles in the efforts towards addressing HIV/AIDS concerns in our population.

We have to appreciate the fact that there is a dire need to call for urgent action to reduce the emergence of new HIV infections whilst preventing deaths as challenged by the global COVID-19 pandemic during this era.

Collaborative efforts and responsibility sharing are key. The Pharmacy Students Association of Kenya (KEPhSA) utilizes its platforms to educate members, who it brings together from seven universities offering Pharmacy education, on the importance of working together.