The advance against HIV / AIDS is uneven
Advances have been made in the fight against the virus since the beginning of the century, but these have been different between countries and within countries.
To meet the 2030 agenda, advances have to reach the entire world, especially the most vulnerable populations.
"We have made incredible advances in the response to HIV since the turn of the century. The number of patients receiving a treatment has increased exponentially and the number of infections has decreased, but these advances are uneven.
There are huge disparities between countries and within countries, "said the director general of the World Health Organization , Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
At the opening of the International Conference against AIDS, which meets this week in Amsterdam, the head of this Organization has recalled that the Sustainable Development Goals have in their DNA "do not leave anyone behind", so he pointed out that it is urgent to correct such disparities.
"We are not going to end the HIV epidemic without concentrating on the most vulnerable populations.
The best way to respond to all their needs in terms of health is to put in place solid health systems based on primary health care with people in the center and with a view to achieving universal health, "he explained.
Build bridges
The XXII International Conference on AIDS is held in Amsterdam from July 23 to 27, under the slogan: "End barriers by building bridges".
The Conference, which is organized every two years, brings together more than 150,000 leaders, policy makers, researchers and experts from around the world, and constitutes a unique exchange space, where science and human rights are located.
The theme of this year's Conference aims to raise awareness of the need for rights-based approaches to better protect key communities, especially in the Eastern European, Central Asian, North African and Eastern Mediterranean regions, where the epidemic It has greater amplitude.
The Conference also aims to promote the adoption of measures on human rights and information, adapted to these groups that are the most vulnerable and that include especially people living with HIV, displaced populations, homosexuals, people addicted to drugs, sex workers, transgender people, as well as women, girls and young women.
Act with urgency
"We must maintain the (action of) urgency," said Michel Sidbé, executive director of UNAIDS , who stressed that the progress made to reach the 90-90-90 agenda in 2021 (that 90% of the people living with HIV know their HIV status, 90% of people diagnosed with HIV receive ongoing antiretroviral therapy, and 90% of people who receive this therapy have viral suppression).
It has also revealed the challenges encountered in the fight against AIDS and has called for collective action to overcome the gaps.
In an interview with UN News, he explained that he would be satisfied with the International Conference if he knew that a renewed commitment to prevention had been reached.
