The fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa requires a renewed focus on community-based strategies, particularly to address the rising infection rates among young people. This call to action was emphasized by UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director, Ms. Angeli Achrekar, during the recent International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA). The conference, themed “Africa in Action: Catalysing Integrated and Resilient Health Systems for Sustainable Responses to End HIV, Other Infectious Diseases, and Emerging Threats,” served as a platform to discuss innovative approaches and address the challenges that persist in the fight against the epidemic.
The Urgent Need for Youth-Focused Strategies
Ms. Achrekar stressed the importance of engaging young people in the solutions, advocating for a strategy where young people are actively involved in reaching their peers. “When it comes to reaching young people, we must work with young people to reach young people,” she stated, highlighting the critical role of community delivery, response, and leadership. These elements, she noted, have always been central to HIV response efforts, but they now require greater support, resources, and a specific focus on the needs of young people.
Recent data underscores the urgency of this call. In Ghana alone, approximately 15,290 new HIV infections were recorded in 2024. A concerning 31 percent of these new infections, totaling 4,732 cases, were among young individuals aged 15 to 24. This demonstrates a clear need for targeted interventions to prevent further spread of the virus within this vulnerable demographic. Currently, around 334,721 Ghanaians are living with HIV, highlighting the scale of the ongoing challenge.
Addressing Gaps in Testing and Treatment
A significant obstacle in combating HIV/AIDS is the lack of awareness regarding individual status. Ms. Achrekar expressed concern that only 66 percent of people living with HIV in Ghana are aware of their condition. This knowledge gap is a critical barrier to linking individuals to care and treatment, which are essential for managing the virus and preventing further transmission.
To overcome this challenge, Ms. Achrekar advocated for increased access to testing, including self-testing options. She also highlighted the importance of long-acting injectable prevention medicines, combination prevention strategies, and youth-led outreach programs. These approaches are vital for closing the existing gaps in HIV response and ensuring that young people have the information and resources they need to protect themselves.
The Imperative to Maintain Momentum
Ms. Achrekar emphasized that despite progress in some areas, the fight against AIDS is far from over. “AIDS is not over,” she warned, “There are thousands of new infections happening every single day among adolescent girls and boys. This is unacceptable and we must stop it.”
While acknowledging that some African countries have achieved the 95-95-95 targets ahead of the 2030 deadline – a remarkable accomplishment – she cautioned against complacency. The 95-95-95 targets refer to the goals of diagnosing 95% of all HIV-positive individuals, providing antiretroviral therapy (ART) for 95% of those diagnosed, and achieving viral suppression for 95% of those treated.
Countries must continue to assess their own situations to identify remaining gaps and tailor their responses accordingly. Innovation, technology, and robust community systems offer incredible opportunities to accelerate progress. However, African countries must prioritize and adequately resource their HIV responses, ensuring sufficient funding for both treatment and prevention efforts.
Community Leadership: A Cornerstone of Success
Community leadership is paramount. Ms. Achrekar stressed the need to empower communities to lead the response efforts, ensuring that interventions are culturally appropriate, accessible, and effective. Ultimately, the goal is to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, and this requires sustained commitment, resources, and community involvement. The focus must remain steadfast until this objective is achieved.
