World AIDS Day 2023: time to prioritize perilous HIV medicine

Abstract Background World AIDS Day has been observed on the first of December every year. Whilst there are specific themes during the commemoration, the role of conflict on HIV seems neglected and needs prioritization given the rise of conflicts globally. Discussion The global HIV response brought s...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Hailay Abrha Gesesew
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-02-01
Series:Conflict and Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13031-024-00573-w
_version_ 1797274419870040064
author Hailay Abrha Gesesew
author_facet Hailay Abrha Gesesew
author_sort Hailay Abrha Gesesew
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background World AIDS Day has been observed on the first of December every year. Whilst there are specific themes during the commemoration, the role of conflict on HIV seems neglected and needs prioritization given the rise of conflicts globally. Discussion The global HIV response brought substantial reduction of new HIV infections and HIV-related deaths, and increment of antiretroviral therapy coverage. Nevertheless, there is substantial inequity on the benefit of the response. Individuals with HIV in conflict zones have suffered immensely and are often neglected. The fact that the level, intensity, and number of conflicts is increasing mean more HIV people in conflict or post-conflict settings such as in Ethiopia, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, Yemen Russia and Ukraine are at risk of negative HIV care and treatment outcomes. In particular, some conflicts such as the case of Ethiopia’s Tigray have been marked by severe public and humanitarian crises, including medical siege, intentional damage of healthcare infrastructure, targeted attacks on health workers, displacement, and appalling incidents of conflict-related sexual violence. Yet, people living with HIV in these conflict settings seem often overlooked. It is crucial to address the unique challenges in these areas to achieve the goals of AIDS/HIV care. Conclusion There is no ideal forum to remind the intricate relationship between conflict and the HIV epidemic other than the World AIDS Day. Thus, this this year’s World AIDS Day should focus on prioritizing on tackling the direct and indirect effects of conflict on HIV transmission and treatment. This way, we can achieve the ambitious UNAIDS 95-95-95 goals and Ending AIDS by 2030.
first_indexed 2024-03-07T14:58:05Z
format Article
id doaj.art-08ba5a25df2c4f5491c0d7662d02b027
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 1752-1505
language English
last_indexed 2024-03-07T14:58:05Z
publishDate 2024-02-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series Conflict and Health
spelling doaj.art-08ba5a25df2c4f5491c0d7662d02b0272024-03-05T19:18:21ZengBMCConflict and Health1752-15052024-02-011811210.1186/s13031-024-00573-wWorld AIDS Day 2023: time to prioritize perilous HIV medicineHailay Abrha Gesesew0Research Centre for Public Health, Equity and Human Flourishing, Torrens University AustraliaAbstract Background World AIDS Day has been observed on the first of December every year. Whilst there are specific themes during the commemoration, the role of conflict on HIV seems neglected and needs prioritization given the rise of conflicts globally. Discussion The global HIV response brought substantial reduction of new HIV infections and HIV-related deaths, and increment of antiretroviral therapy coverage. Nevertheless, there is substantial inequity on the benefit of the response. Individuals with HIV in conflict zones have suffered immensely and are often neglected. The fact that the level, intensity, and number of conflicts is increasing mean more HIV people in conflict or post-conflict settings such as in Ethiopia, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, Yemen Russia and Ukraine are at risk of negative HIV care and treatment outcomes. In particular, some conflicts such as the case of Ethiopia’s Tigray have been marked by severe public and humanitarian crises, including medical siege, intentional damage of healthcare infrastructure, targeted attacks on health workers, displacement, and appalling incidents of conflict-related sexual violence. Yet, people living with HIV in these conflict settings seem often overlooked. It is crucial to address the unique challenges in these areas to achieve the goals of AIDS/HIV care. Conclusion There is no ideal forum to remind the intricate relationship between conflict and the HIV epidemic other than the World AIDS Day. Thus, this this year’s World AIDS Day should focus on prioritizing on tackling the direct and indirect effects of conflict on HIV transmission and treatment. This way, we can achieve the ambitious UNAIDS 95-95-95 goals and Ending AIDS by 2030.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13031-024-00573-wWorld AIDS DayHIVConflict perilous medicineTigray
spellingShingle Hailay Abrha Gesesew
World AIDS Day 2023: time to prioritize perilous HIV medicine
Conflict and Health
World AIDS Day
HIV
Conflict perilous medicine
Tigray
title World AIDS Day 2023: time to prioritize perilous HIV medicine
title_full World AIDS Day 2023: time to prioritize perilous HIV medicine
title_fullStr World AIDS Day 2023: time to prioritize perilous HIV medicine
title_full_unstemmed World AIDS Day 2023: time to prioritize perilous HIV medicine
title_short World AIDS Day 2023: time to prioritize perilous HIV medicine
title_sort world aids day 2023 time to prioritize perilous hiv medicine
topic World AIDS Day
HIV
Conflict perilous medicine
Tigray
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13031-024-00573-w
work_keys_str_mv AT hailayabrhagesesew worldaidsday2023timetoprioritizeperiloushivmedicine