India poised to end AIDS epidemic, says UNAIDS country director
New Delhi: David Bridger, UNAIDS country director for India, on Thursday expressed confidence that India has the potential to achieve the end of the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat. He emphasized the need to capitalize on the progress made thus far, saying that India has the opportunity to eradicate AIDS if efforts are sustained. Bridger’s remarks come in response to a new report released by UNAIDS titled ‘The Path that Ends AIDS’, which underscores the political and financial choices involved in ending AIDS and highlights the remarkable achievements of countries and leaders who have pursued this path.
The report revealed that several nations, including Botswana, Eswatini, Rwanda, the United Republic of Tanzania, and Zimbabwe, have attained the ambitious “95-95-95" targets. These targets aim to ensure that 95% of people living with HIV are aware of their HIV status, 95% of those aware receive life-saving antiretroviral treatment, and 95% of people on treatment achieve viral suppression. Furthermore, 16 additional countries are in close proximity to reaching these targets.
Winnie Byanyima, executive director of UNAIDS, highlighted the significance of strong political leadership in successful HIV responses. Byanyima emphasized the need to rely on data, science, and evidence, address existing inequalities that hinder progress, empower communities and civil society organizations, and ensure equitable and sustainable funding. The report also highlighted a fourfold increase in the number of people on antiretroviral treatment worldwide, rising from 7.7 million in 2010 to 29.8 million in 2022.
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