The non-profit organisation, Aids Healthcare Foundation (AHF), says it has reached a historic milestone in that it supports more than two million individuals living with HIV worldwide.
The country programme director for AHF South Africa, Dr Kate Ssamula, said the mission was to provide quality and effective HIV services to those in need, driven by accurate data.
She said the fight against HIV continued. Through collaborative efforts as multilateral stakeholders, the AHF aimed to reduce and, ultimately, eradicate new HIV infections.
“We strive to ensure everyone needing ART (antiretroviral therapy) treatment receives it while educating communities. By continuously innovating and advancing HIV advocacy and literacy, we empower communities to lead the fight against HIV, aiming to end it by 2030.”
Ssamula said the AHF remained steadfast in its commitment to advocate for access to HIV treatment and care for everyone who needed it and to hold Big Pharma and decision-makers accountable.
She said she was thrilled about the foundation’s achievement in supporting more than two million patients globally. South Africa was the first country to join the global programme in 2002 and had played a pivotal role in reaching the milestone.
“This milestone is a powerful reminder of the importance of global health equity and the ongoing effort to ensure that all people, regardless of their economic status, have access to life-saving health-care services.”
Ssamula said said that since its inception in 1987, the AHF had been at the forefront of the global fight against HIV/Aids, delivering essential services, advocacy and innovative solutions to combat the pandemic. The significant milestone underscored the AHF’s unwavering commitment to improving the lives of those affected by HIV/Aids.
AHF milestones:
- 2 million lives in care, July 20, 2024
- 1.5 million lives in care, December 1, 2020
- 1 million lives in care, October 1, 2018
- 500 000 lives in care, November 13, 2015
- 250 000 lives in care, November 27, 2013
- 100 000 lives in care, April 15, 2009
AHF President Michael Weinstein said they were immensely proud to reach the historic milestone.
“When we launched our global programmes more than 20 years ago in two African countries with 100 patients in each, we never imagined we'd one day be serving two million lives under our care,” said Weinstein.
He praised the AHF staff, partners and volunteers whom he said were dedicated and worked tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of those affected by HIV/Aids.
Independent on Saturday