Based on WHO data, HIV has resulted in over 40 million deaths globally. As at the end of 2021, about 38.4 million people lived with HIV, with 1.5 million people acquiring the virus in 2021 according to WHO data. Current HIV trends seem to be either decreasing or increasing in some countries.
The raging impact of HIV pandemic was greatly felt in the 1980s with the absent of effective treatment. This resulted in the deaths of thousands of people within a very narrow window just after or even before proper diagnosis was carried out. It was a difficult moment as the only means of containing the spread of the virus was by increasing the awareness about HIV and the resulting AIDs.
The WHO document shows that the clinical trial for antiretrovirals (ARVs) started in 1985 and was first approved for use in 1987. Despite the short-term benefits of the first ARVs, it was a remarkable achievement within such a short time. The race to find a more potent treatment option had resulted in the roll out of the “highly active antiretroviral treatment” (HAART) – a combination therapy of several antiretrovirals that was reported to have between 60% and 80% effectiveness to reduce AIDs-related deaths. The high cost of HAART from 1995 was a challenge for most low- and middle-class countries and had warranted a search for cheaper options.
Generic ARVs were produced in the 2000s making the cost of HIV treatment much lower and affordable. From the “3 by 5” initiative to the 2014 “90-90-90” target of WHO, great success was achieved. The global health community had a target that AIDs will be eliminated by 2030. Is the 2030 target of eliminating AIDs death still achievable?
Information from WHO and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that several disease outbreaks have occurred since HIV became a global health concern. This in part may have reduced the enthusiastic momentum that was directed to eliminate HIV/AIDS. The most prominent outbreaks include H1N1 virus (swine flu) of 2009, EBOLA of 2014, and the more devastating COVID-19 of 2020 which has so far killed over 6 million people globally. Focus on eliminating other pandemics has most likely slowed that the HIV/AIDs containment drive and could result in grave consequences.
Based on WHO data, HIV has resulted in over 40 million deaths globally. As at the end of 2021, about 38.4 million people lived with HIV, with 1.5 million people acquiring the virus in 2021 according to WHO data. The HIV trends seem to be either decreasing or increasing in some countries. The present HIV/AIDS situation is not so clear. However, a report by Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC) suggests that HIV infections may be rising in many countries since progress to prevent new infections has slowed down over the year.
A decreasing advocacy for HIV/AIDS containment and the drive to prevent new infections can only lessen HIV’s visibility. Lessened visibility may not reflect decreasing numbers of HIV infections, but could be a silent pandemic with disastrous propensity. Although other outbreaks should be addressed, HIV remains a major threat to globally health and should be tackled with all available arsenals.
Rekindled engagements to prevent new HIV infection and deaths among current patients should be a priority for all countries. What we should know is that HIV/AIDS is now silently eroding the hard-fought achievements of the pre-Covid-19 era. If AIDS must be eliminated in 2030, more funding, increased awareness and strict implementation of the UNAIDS (The United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS) 95-95-95 target must be reawakened. The 95-95-95 UNAIDS target is to ensure that 95% of everyone living with HIV will know their status, 95% of everyone diagnosed with HIV will have sustained access to antiretroviral drugs, while 95% of everyone receiving sustained antiretroviral drugs will have viral suppression by 2025.
HIV/AIDS has no cure. The only effective remedies to the viral spread are the observation of appropriate preventive measures, proper diagnosis, treatment and care for HIV patients (including management of opportunistic infections). With antiretroviral drugs the chronic health condition could be managed to ensure that people living with HIV lead long and healthy lives.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) suppresses a person’s immunity by destroying CD4 cells. CD 4 T lymphocytes or helper T cells help the body to fight against infections such as viruses, bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms.
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