By Muhammad Amaan
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) said the West and Central African region has made notable progress in the AIDS response in recent years.
The UN agency leading the fight to end HIV/AIDS, stated this at the Regional Dialogue on the Status of the Epidemic and the AIDS Response in West and Central Africa.
UNAIDS, in a statement, said data show that in 2024, 81 per cent of people living with HIV knew their status and 76 per cent were accessing antiretroviral therapy.
It also showed that 70 per cent had suppressed viral loads, preventing onward transmission of the virus.
Between 2010 and 2024, there was a 55 per cent reduction in new HIV infections across the region and a 60 per cent decline in AIDS-related deaths.
However, these gains remain insufficient to meet global targets and end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, UNAIDS warned, and urged continued commitment to end AIDS.
“The HIV epidemic is not over. It took the lives of 124,000 people in the region last year and in at least five countries in west, central and north Africa, new HIV infections continue to grow.
“So, even as we celebrate progress, let’s remember that the job is not yet done,” Susan Kasedde, UNAIDS Regional Director, West and Central Africa, said.
The dialogue was part of efforts to strengthen strategic engagement for a more effective, sustainable and integrated response to HIV across the region.
UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director, Angeli Achrekar highlighted the unique opportunity the year presents for global partners in the HIV response.
“This Regional Dialogue comes at a time of substantial progress towards development, for example, life expectancy has increased by 20 years in Africa since 2000.
“We have a unique political opportunity this year to mobilise action guided by the new 2026-2031 Global AIDS Strategy to end AIDS.
“And we have exceptional capacity for impact that can be leveraged through the power of country, regional and global partnerships,” Achrekar said.
In West and Central Africa, UNAIDS says progress is being hindered by significant inequalities, which continue to persist.
Disparities also exist between countries and within countries, including differences across regions, districts, sexes, age groups and population groups.
These inequalities limit the overall impact of interventions and threaten progress towards ending AIDS.
The participants underscored the importance of political will and engagement to accelerate progress, close gaps and end AIDS in the region.
To get to 2030, countries are advised to take decisive action to protect the populations most vulnerable to HIV infection, illness and death and all those working with them.
Countries are also to ensure that the fundamental rights of these people to life, inclusion, safety and health are not violated,
The Regional Dialogue comes at an important moment for the global HIV response, as the Global AIDS Strategy 2026–2031 has recently been developed.
The meeting also took place ahead of the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS, scheduled for June.
The upcoming meeting will mobilise global commitment and establish a new political declaration to guide the AIDS response for the next five years.
