2025 World AIDS Day: WHO Raise Alarm Over Funding Challenges ..... Says "Africa Has Power to Overcome Scourge."

"The theme challenges us to redefine our response to an unprecedented HIV funding landscape that is threatening decades of progress. These pullbacks make it more urgent than ever to safeguard the gains, and protect lives." Dr. Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa 

In commemoration of the 2025 World AIDS Day, the World Health Organization WHO has reiterated its shared commitment to ending HIV in Africa, stressing that it is a challenge that persists, but one we have the power to overcome.

Speaking on this year’s theme; "Overcoming Disruption: Transforming the AIDS Response," WHO's Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Mohamed Janabi in a message he delivered in commemoration of today, said; "the theme challenges us to redefine our response to an unprecedented HIV funding landscape that is threatening decades of progress. These pullbacks make it more urgent than ever to safeguard the gains, and protect lives."

"Yet, this reality also offers an opportunity to build a stronger, more self-reliant and more integrated response. Across Africa, countries are working to embed HIV services within primary health care systems, ensuring inclusive, people-centred care. Sustaining this progress means protecting the infrastructure that supports testing, treatment and prevention, while accelerating access to innovation." He noted.

According to Dr. Janabi, "New tools, such as long-acting HIV prevention medicines like Lenacapavir, can transform lives, requiring only two injections a year. WHO commends South Africa for being the first African country to licence Lenacapavir for use to prevent HIV, and we hope more African countries will follow their lead.

"Equally important is protecting trust in science. Misinformation can be as dangerous as service disruption. We must defend scientific freedom, promote evidence-based policies, and continue to support community and civil society leadership. During recent crises, youth networks across several countries used WhatsApp and local radio to share reliable information and encourage HIV treatment adherence. These are the partnerships that keep progress alive.

"Over the past decade, the African Region has made remarkable gains. New HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths have each fallen by more than half since 2010. A total of 21.7 million people living with HIV now receive lifesaving antiretroviral therapy. Community-led testing, differentiated care and integration with primary health services are transforming how care is delivered." He stated.

The Regional Director for Africa WHO further disclosed that, "In Botswana, the achievement of Gold Tier status for eliminating mother-to-child transmission shows what sustained commitment can deliver.

"But progress remains fragile. We must act now to protect what has been achieved, and accelerate what remains unfinished."

He therefore urged all Member States and partners to:

• Transform the HIV response into sustainable, locally-led systems, through increased domestic investment and innovative financing.

• Rebuild momentum by strengthening health systems to deliver reliable, equitable HIV and other health services for all.

• Restore trust by tackling stigma, misinformation and discrimination, and defending human rights for marginalized groups.

• Confront inequality by prioritizing services for key populations, adolescent girls and young women, to ensure no one is left behind.

He noted that, "As WHO, we stand ready to support countries and communities in transforming HIV services into resilient, inclusive and sustainable systems, especially through these changing times.

"As the African proverb reminds us: If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. Together, we carry the hope, the strength and the resolve to go the distance, and end AIDS in Africa." He concluded.

Learn more:

• Botswana advances to gold tier on the Path to Elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV

• Chad: protecting children from HIV/AIDS

• South Africa launches 1.1 million HIV campaign to close treatment gap

• Cameroon: A beacon of hope for adolescents and young people living with HIV

• Namibia reaches key milestone in eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and hepatitis B