AIDS Awareness Day

The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for South-East Asia, Saima Wazed, has called for a rights-based approach to healthcare on World AIDS Day 2024. The theme of this year, “Take the Rights Path: My Health, My Right!” emphasizes accessible, rights-based healthcare for those affected by HIV/AIDS.

Wazed highlighted the inequalities and barriers faced by marginalized populations, such as men who have sex with men, sex workers, and prisoners, in accessing HIV services. Despite progress in reducing HIV/AIDS rates, challenges persist, especially among children and adolescents living with HIV.

Efforts to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B virus are a priority in the region. Additionally, young key populations aged 15 to 24 are experiencing troubling increases in new infections due to lack of comprehensive sexual education and misinformation about HIV transmission.

The recent adoption of a Ministerial Declaration on Adolescent-Responsive Health Systems in the WHO South-East Asia region aligns with the World AIDS Day theme, emphasizing the rights of young people affected by HIV. Innovative solutions such as mobile health apps and telemedicine offer promising avenues to reach youth and key populations with essential HIV services.

Wazed stressed the importance of collaboration among governments, organizations, donors, and healthcare providers in achieving the 2030 target of ending AIDS and the ‘95-95-95’ goals. This requires a commitment to combatting stigma, providing compassionate care, and empowering communities to advocate for their rights.

On this World AIDS Day, Wazed urges individuals to stand up for the health and rights of those affected by HIV/AIDS, ensuring that every young person and individual living with the virus can access the healthcare and support they need.

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Photo credit www.who.int