An estimated 39 million people worldwide are HIV positive. According to Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, the WHO Regional Director for Southeast Asia, 630,000 people died from AIDS-related causes and another 1.3 million individuals got HIV in 2022.
On the occasion of World AIDS Day, the World Health Organisation (WHO) urged member states, partners, and communities in Southeast Asia and globally to persist in promoting cooperation to tackle the obstacles of eliminating the disease by 2030 and enabling communities to take the lead in directing the response.
With an estimated 3.9 million HIV-positive individuals, the Southeast Asia Region bears approximately 10% of the worldwide HIV/AIDS burden.
An estimated 1,10,000 persons in the area contracted HIV for the first time in 2022, and 85,000 of them passed away from AIDS-related illnesses. According to Dr. Khetrapal Singh, this was responsible for more than 13% of the AIDS-related mortality burden worldwide.
The Southeast Asian region has made significant strides in the last ten years, with a notable decrease in HIV-related infections and fatalities. Between 2010 and 2022, the number of new HIV infections fell by half to 1,10,000.
Likewise, the number of deaths caused by HIV decreased to one-third, from 2,30,000 in 2010 to 85,000 in 2022. According to Singh, about 95% of new HIV infections in the region occur in at-risk groups, such as transgender people and their partners, people who inject drugs, sex workers, and men who have sex with men.
Roughly 25% of newly diagnosed HIV cases in the area in 2022 occurred in young individuals. According to her, young people in several South-East Asian nations accounted for roughly half of all new HIV infections.
Communities of people living with, at risk of, and impacted by HIV must be more actively involved in developing efficient methods and interventions if we are to speed up the end of AIDS. According to her, the Integrated Regional Action Plan for HIV, STIs, and viral hepatitis must be implemented with empowered communities.
“WHO is urging action in many crucial areas. To remove obstacles to high-quality services, policymakers and program managers should support initiatives and make sure that important groups, community organizations, and HIV-positive individuals are meaningfully involved in advocacy, service delivery, policy development, community level monitoring, and evaluation.”
Politicians ought to actively engage communities, especially the younger generation. Singh asserted that to effectively design, plan, budget, and implement an HIV prevention and care program, young people must take the lead in these areas.
She stated that to provide a people-centered service, nations must invest in decentralized and integrated primary healthcare services for HIV, viral hepatitis, STIs, and other communicable and non-communicable diseases. Additionally, nations should continue to reform laws, regulations, and practices that support stigma, discrimination, and exclusion.
“Together, we need to step up our efforts to meet the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. WHO reaffirms its commitment to bringing about a world and area where AIDS is no longer a threat to public health, benefiting every person, community, and population, on the occasion of World AIDS Day, the spokesperson said.
The purpose of World AIDS Day is to give governments, groups, and people a forum to discuss and act against HIV/AIDS. AIDS, or acquired immune deficiency syndrome, is caused by HIV. The immune system is weakened by this virus, which makes it more difficult for the body to fight off infections and malignancies. In 1988, the inaugural World AIDS Day was observed. Since then, December 1st is the annual date of observation. “Let communities lead” is the theme of World AIDS Day this year. Regrettably, there is a great deal of false information and unjust judgment around HIV.
Myth: Taking numerous medications daily is necessary for HIV treatment.Fact: Individuals living with HIV used to need to take numerous medications. Most patients starting treatment for HIV now only take one or two medicines each day.
An individual’s appearance can reveal whether they are living with HIV.Factual statement: HIV-positive individuals cannot be recognized by their symptoms. They could not exhibit any particular symptoms or they might exhibit symptoms that point to other medical issues.
Myth: If you have HIV, you can avoid exercising.Fact: If you have HIV, exercise is a good strategy to keep your health safe. It can keep you from getting tired, increase your appetite, reduce stress, keep your muscles in good condition, and shield your bones.