Express View on UNAIDS report: AIDS and inequality

Source: The post is based on the article “Express View on UNAIDS report: AIDS and inequality” published in The Indian Express on 17th July 2023.

Syllabus: GS 2 – Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

News: In this article, the author discusses the challenges in eradicating AIDS by 2030.

About current AIDS data

1. HIV affects 70% of people globally, but treatment suppresses the virus in most cases.
2. “Hyper-masculinity” inhibits many men from seeking HIV testing or treatment.
3. Women and children often do not receive optimal HIV treatment, with only 67% and 46% achieving viral suppression, respectively.
4. United Nations Member States committed to implementing a bold agenda to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

What are the major constraints in achieving the target of eliminating AIDS by 2030?

Poverty and marginalization: Poor and marginalized communities often lack access to the necessary healthcare and are subjected to stigma. As a result, HIV patients from these communities continue to suffer and are left behind in the fight against AIDS.

Gender inequality: Gender inequality is another major constraint. Men often avoid getting tested due to societal pressure, also known as “hyper-masculinity”, hindering early diagnosis and treatment. Meanwhile, women, particularly in low-income regions, do not receive optimal HIV treatment. According to UNAIDS, viral suppression is seen in 76% of male patients but only 67% of female patients.

Insufficient funding: Despite increasing overall health budgets, lower and middle-income countries heavily depend on external funds for AIDS related expenses. These funds are insufficient to effectively combat AIDS, especially in parts of West Asia and Africa.

Lack of prevention programs: There’s a significant gap in HIV prevention programs, especially for children and young women. The viral suppression rate amongst children is just 46%. In sub-Saharan Africa, only 40% of districts with high HIV incidence are covered by dedicated prevention programs.

Drug shortages: Countries like India have witnessed patient protests due to shortages in essential drugs. This indicates the urgent need for improved supply chains and local manufacturing capabilities to ensure the continuous availability of AIDS medication.

What should be done?

1. Efforts should focus on addressing poverty and gender inequality to improve access to AIDS healthcare.
2. Men should be encouraged to get HIV testing, and women’s treatment needs to be optimized.
3. Funding for AIDS in lower and middle-income countries needs to be increased. Prevention programs, particularly for children and young women, should be expanded.
4. Finally, governments must address drug shortages, possibly by boosting local production of AIDS medications.