Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Henry Owen
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has issued an urgent warning about the worsening HIV situation globally, especially in Nigeria. According to their latest report launched on Tuesday, condom distribution in Nigeria has dropped sharply by 55% over the past year. This decline is part of a wider problem affecting many countries.
UNAIDS’ report, titled Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response, highlights that efforts to prevent and treat HIV are facing their worst setbacks in decades. Across 13 countries, fewer people are starting HIV treatment, and vital community programs are being disrupted. For example, in sub-Saharan Africa, 450,000 women have lost access to "mother mentors" — trusted community workers who help link women to HIV care.
The report blames these setbacks on sudden cuts in funding and worsening human rights conditions, which have made it harder for many countries to provide prevention and treatment services. UNAIDS Chief Winnie Byanyima explained that behind every statistic are real people—babies missing HIV tests, young women losing access to prevention, and communities left without vital services.
Even before this crisis, young women aged 15-24 were already heavily affected, with 570 new HIV infections happening every day among them. UNAIDS warns that if prevention programs continue to be dismantled, young women will become even more vulnerable to infection.
Community organizations, which are crucial in fighting HIV, are also suffering. Over 60% of women-led groups say they have had to stop providing essential services. If these issues aren’t addressed, UNAIDS projects that between 2025 and 2030, there could be an extra 3.3 million new HIV infections worldwide.
Funding from international donors has also dropped sharply. Projections show that external health aid could fall by 30-40% in 2025 compared to 2023, making it even harder for low- and middle-income countries to fight HIV.
UNAIDS is calling on world leaders to come together, reaffirm their commitment to ending AIDS, and increase funding for HIV programs. They also emphasize investing in new prevention tools, like affordable long-lasting HIV prevention methods, and protecting human rights. Supporting communities remains key to reversing these troubling trends and saving lives.
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