New Delhi [India], December 1: On the occasion of World AIDS Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Southeast Asia, Saima Wazed, emphasized the need for global commitment in combating HIV/AIDS under the theme “Take the Rights Path: My Health, My Right!” The theme underscores the importance of accessible, rights-based healthcare for individuals living with HIV.
In a statement, Wazed called upon global leaders and citizens to confront inequalities that hinder progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of ending AIDS by 2030. She stressed that ensuring people living with HIV receive healthcare without stigma or discrimination is essential.
“A rights-based approach is not just a strategy; it is a commitment to uphold the dignity, health, and autonomy of every individual, especially those with vulnerabilities and are most at risk. We must boldly tackle the stigma and discrimination that stand as formidable barriers to accessing prevention, treatment, and care,” the statement read.
The WHO highlighted that within its South-East Asia Region, approximately 3.9 million people live with HIV, representing 10 per cent of the global burden. In 2023, 78 per cent of people living with HIV in the region knew their status, 66 per cent were on antiretroviral treatment, and 64 per cent achieved viral suppression. Despite this progress, challenges persist in addressing the needs of marginalized groups, such as men who have sex with men, sex workers, people who inject drugs, and transgender individuals, who experience higher rates of HIV and limited access to care.
Children and adolescents living with HIV also remain a concern. Approximately 80,000 children and adolescents in the region are living with HIV, largely due to mother-to-child transmission. WHO’s ‘triple elimination’ initiative, aimed at eradicating vertical transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B, has seen countries like Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Thailand achieve notable success in preventing mother-to-child transmission.
New HIV infections among young people aged 15-24 continue to be a significant challenge, with nearly half of new cases occurring within this group. WHO pointed to gaps in education about HIV transmission, noting that fewer than 25 per cent of young people in the region understand how HIV spreads. The organization lauded the adoption of the Ministerial Declaration on Adolescent-Responsive Health Systems by Southeast Asian nations, which commits to creating health systems tailored to the needs of young people affected by HIV.
Advancements in technology were also cited as crucial in improving access to HIV care. Mobile health apps, online counseling, and virtual support groups offer new ways to provide services to populations with limited access to traditional healthcare. WHO also emphasized the importance of biomedical tools such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and long-acting antiretroviral treatments in reducing HIV transmission.
The WHO reaffirmed its focus on achieving the ’95-95-95′ goals: diagnosing 95 per cent of people living with HIV, ensuring 95 per cent of those diagnosed receive treatment, and achieving viral suppression for 95 per cent of those on treatment. Continued collaboration among governments, healthcare providers, and international organizations is deemed critical to meeting these targets.
On World AIDS Day 2024, WHO pledged its ongoing support to ensure that everyone living with HIV can lead a healthy life with access to necessary care. Saima Wazed called for collective action to dismantle barriers that prevent access to HIV services and reaffirmed the rights and dignity of those affected by HIV/AIDS.