UNAIDS Welcomes US Decision to Keep Funding Life-Saving HIV Treatment
2025-01-29 12:00
Geneva, Switzerland – The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has welcomed the decision by the United States to maintain funding for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a landmark global health initiative that has saved millions of lives.
PEPFAR, launched in 2003, provides funding for HIV treatment, prevention, and care services in low- and middle-income countries. The program has been widely credited with helping to reduce AIDS-related deaths by more than 50% since its inception.
In fiscal year 2023, the United States allocated approximately $7 billion to PEPFAR. This announcement signals a continued commitment to the program, which is essential for maintaining progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
“This is a critical investment in the health and well-being of millions of people around the world,” said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “PEPFAR has played a transformative role in scaling up access to HIV treatment and preventing new infections.”
The decision to maintain funding for PEPFAR was made as part of the US government’s broader commitment to global health. The Biden administration has pledged to invest in pandemic preparedness, health systems strengthening, and research and development for infectious diseases.
Impact of PEPFAR
Since its launch, PEPFAR has:
- Provided lifesaving antiretroviral therapy (ART) to over 20 million people
- Prevented over 6 million new HIV infections
- Supported over 12 million orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS
- Strengthened health systems in over 50 countries
PEPFAR’s impact has been particularly significant in sub-Saharan Africa, which accounts for two-thirds of the world’s HIV burden. In Botswana, for example, PEPFAR has helped to reduce the HIV prevalence rate from over 20% in 2003 to less than 10% today.
Continued Challenges
Despite the progress made through PEPFAR, there are still significant challenges in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
- Over 38 million people worldwide are living with HIV, and an estimated 1.5 million new infections occur each year.
- Access to ART remains inadequate in many countries, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
- Stigma and discrimination continue to hinder access to services and support for people living with HIV.
Call to Action
UNAIDS has called on all countries to increase their investments in HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment programs. The organization has also urged governments to address the underlying social and economic factors that contribute to HIV transmission, such as poverty, inequality, and gender-based violence.
“The fight against HIV/AIDS is not over,” said Byanyima. “We need to continue to invest in prevention, treatment, and care, and we need to address the root causes of the epidemic. Together, we can end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.”
UNAIDS welcomes US decision to keep funding life-saving HIV treatment
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