A new study in The Lancet has revealed significant global progress in reducing HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths. The research highlighted a 20% decline in new HIV infections and a 40% decline in AIDS-related deaths during 2010.

However, the 1.3 million new HIV cases reported in 2023 are still three times the level needed to meet the UN goal of eliminating AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, the agency said.

More than one million people are still infected with HIV each year, and about a quarter of the 40 million people living with HIV are still not receiving treatment.

Sub-Saharan Africa, the region most affected by HIV, has seen the greatest improvement. However, in some regions, including Eastern Europe and the Middle East, the number of new infections has increased.

In September, India’s Union Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel announced that the country’s annual HIV infections had declined by 44% since 2010. India is currently in the fifth phase of the National AIDS and STD Control Program (2021-2026), which is fully funded. By the Government of India to control the spread of HIV infection.

preventive equipment

Preventive treatments such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) have played an important role in reducing infections. Daily PrEP pills can reduce the risk of HIV infection through sexual contact by up to 99%. Countries like France are expanding access to PrEP, promoting it not just to specific groups but to anyone at risk.

For people already living with HIV, antiretroviral therapy can suppress the virus to undetectable levels, reducing transmission risk to almost zero.

However, access to such treatments remains unequal. Rich countries have benefited greatly, while poor countries are struggling due to high costs.

A new drug for HIV treatment

A new drug, lencapavir, could revolutionize HIV treatment. Early trials have shown that it is 100% effective in preventing HIV, requiring only two injections each year. This is a vast improvement over the daily pill regimen, especially in countries where stigma or limited health care infrastructure consistently hinders treatment.

However, the high cost of lencapavir, about $40,000 per person in some countries, poses a barrier. Researchers estimate the drug could be produced for as little as $40, and have urged pharmaceutical giant Gilead to make it affordable for hard-hit countries.

Gilead has partnered with six generic drugmakers, including India’s Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories and Emcure Pharmaceuticals, to distribute the treatment in the countries.

While many experts applauded the move, some pointed out that millions of people living with HIV live in countries excluded from the agreement.

The twice-yearly injections are also expected to address another challenge in HIV treatment: the stigma associated with the disease.

What about the vaccine?

While decades have passed since HIV-AIDS is considered one of the deadliest diseases globally, its vaccine still remains elusive.

However, Andrew Hill, a researcher at the University of Liverpool, UK, told AFP earlier this year that with the introduction of lencapavir, the shot is “like taking the vaccine”.

As the 2030 deadline approaches, experts stress the need for greater global collaboration to ensure life-saving treatments reach everyone who needs them.

(With inputs from AFP)