Durban — “It is not over,” says Aids Healthcare Foundation (AHF) who commemorated World Aids Day 2022 with players from AmaZulu FC on Tuesday.
The foundation reached out globally under the theme “It is not over” to remind world leaders, global public health institutions and civil society that much work remained if we are to one day end the Aids epidemic.
Reports indicate that the world is worryingly off-track in reducing new infection and mortality rates – which means people should redouble their efforts because millions of lives hang in the balance.
“We were glad to see the resiliency of HIV programmes worldwide during and after the pandemic. However, the latest UNAids data shows that the global HIV/Aids response needs reinvigorating, making our ‘It is not over’ theme even more relevant for this year’s World Aids Day,” said Terri Ford, AHF chief of global advocacy and policy.
“We are calling on stakeholders and advocates in all countries to intensify HIV prevention, testing and treatment efforts worldwide to slow the rapidly rising new HIV infection rates and protect the precious gains we have made. We have come too far in fighting HIV/Aids to let decades of progress slip away now,” Ford added.
UNAids reported that there were 1.5 million new HIV infections last year — 1 million more than the global target of 500 000 — and an estimated 650 000 deaths from Aids-related illnesses – which is why AHF is urging the world to re-light the fire in the HIV/Aids fight by putting an increased focus on Test & Treat and addressing late HIV presentation, aspects noticeably absent from the report.
AHF has planned diverse live and virtual commemorative events throughout its 45-country teams to pay tribute to all who have lost their lives to Aids-related illnesses and honour those who continue the fight.
Advocates will also seek to refocus the world’s attention on HIV/Aids and the people globally living with or affected by HIV.
AHF South Africa in partnership with the AmaZulu Soccer club, the eThekwini Municipality, the KZN Health Department and other esteemed artists commemorated World Aids Day 2022 under the theme “It is not over”.
During the event, there was a vibrant atmosphere as the music and activities got under way, with the community of Chesterville Township getting the chance to interact with the AmaZulu soccer team, and South African artists such as the uThando Acapella group and comedian Simphiwe Lizwi Shembe.
HIV/Aids testing, condom distribution, family planning and STI services were also available for the community on the day. The youth of Chesterville, Durban were encouraged as they joined the AmaZulu soccer club in getting educated and tested for HIV/Aids.
AHF Africa Bureau chief Dr Penninah Lutung said the HIV response in parts of Africa had held strong through the adversity brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, new HIV infections were rising in others, and young women and girls remained disproportionately affected, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa
Lutung said through initiatives like ‘Protect the Child’ campaign, they were making HIV prevention a priority by educating youth on age-appropriate Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) across all the country’s programmes.
“This, coupled with the successful Girls Act programme and our Test & Treat efforts Bureau-wide, is keeping HIV/Aids at the forefront of public health in Africa. We call on African leaders to do the same,” she added.
Daily News