The global AIDS response is not only off-the-target but also slipping by leaps and bounds in some countries or for some communities.

All governments promised to end AIDS by 2030 by committing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) a decade back “where no one is left behind.” Undeniably, a lot of progress took place in preventing new HIV infections and helping millions of those living with the virus lead a healthy life worldwide. But this progress is no excuse for complacency or must not be allowed to paralyse us in urgently addressing the acute need of scaling up people-centred and rights-based responses.

Despite having a range of evidence-based HIV prevention tools, the world saw 1.3 million new people getting diagnosed with HIV in 2023. This is over three times more new infections than what was promised: Leaders had pledged to reduce annual new infections to below 370,000 by 2025.

Despite having best of HIV treatment options to keep people with HIV healthy and well, over 630,000 people died of AIDS-related illnesses in 2023. Compared to 2010 when 1.3 million people died of AIDS-related illnesses, the rate has halved by 2023 -but the number of lost lives in 2023 is 2.5 times more than what our leaders promised to achieve by 2025 (that deaths due to AIDS-related illnesses by 2025 should be less than 250,000).

“Every new HIV infection or a death due to AIDS-related illness is a grim reminder that we could have done better to prevent HIV or on treatment, care and support. It is high time for accountability, review and course correction so that we all can get on track to end AIDS and keep all the promises enshrined in the SDGs,” said Dr Ishwar Gilada who is the longest serving HIV medical expert in India, is twice elected to the Governing Council of International AIDS Society (IAS) and Chairs IAS Asia Pacific.

“I think globally, regionally and here in India, we do have a choice. We can act now to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. We can actively work to keep people living with HIV on treatment and healthy. We can accelerate efforts to reduce new infections substantially and we can almost eradicate AIDS-related deaths. But to do so, we all will require firmer commitment by leaders to invest in effective programmes that engages community, further reduces stigma and discrimination, and addresses sustainability in the integration of the response. There is a pathway to ending AIDS, and we have a map. But are we bold enough to follow it and........

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