Manishka Kistamah

"The HIV response is at a crossroads. If we take our foot off the pedal, we risk undoing decades of progress. We need one final push to reach the 2030 goal and end AIDS as a public health threat for all." Isaac Ahemesah, UNAIDS Country Director Zambia

US funding cuts have impacted Zambia’s HIV response. But the government and partners are stepping up.

Isaac Ahemesah shares how the country is mitigating the impacts to protect the health and lives of people living with HIV & how UNAIDS is supporting these efforts.

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Expanding access to antiretroviral therapy has more than halved the annual number of AIDS-related deaths. AIDS-related deaths have dropped from 1.3 million in 2010 to 630 000 in 2023.

AIDS-related deaths dropped from 1.3M in 2010 to 630 000 in 2023.

This progress is thanks to expanded access to antiretroviral therapy, largely provided free through public health systems, with domestic and international funding.👏

We must continue to act in solidarity!

Guatemala: The US funding cuts had an immediate impact, causing staff shortages in many clinics and affecting patient care. There are serious concerns about gaps in HIV prevention programmes for vulerable populations, with a higher risk of loss to follow-up, especially in harder-to-reach communities. In response, the Guatemalan government has taken on some financial responsibility for personnel previously funded by USAID. The Ministry of Health has absorbed a significant number of staff positions left vacant in the clinics providing care for people living with HIV.

Lesotho: Approximately 28% of PEPFAR funded programmes have resumed, 32% remains paused, and 40% have been terminated, impacting key population programmes, PrEP, and health system strengthening. Staff shortages are severe, with 53% of health workers funded by PEPFAR now terminated. The Ministry of Health is leading mitigation efforts, including mapping affected projects, reallocating resources and securing emergency funding for critical staff salaries. Civil society organizations, supported by UNAIDS, are advocating for government support and social contracting.

Namibia: Facilities providing antiretroviral therapy remain fully operational, but paediatric HIV treatment faces challenges due to disruptions in referrals and linkages. Funding cuts have impacted community health workers supporting adherence and retention. While ARV supplies and lab test kits are available with minimum disruption, intermittent condom stock-outs could worsen in the next 3-6 months. The government, civil society, and UN partners are working to mitigate these challenges.

Zimbabwe: Some USAID and CDC-supported organizations have resumed work, while others remain on pause. Public health facilities continue key services with Global Fund support in 21 of 64 districts, but human resource disruptions are affecting HIV treatment, medicine distribution, and monitoring. Key population programme beneficiaries face challenges accessing PrEP due to provider closures. The government is exploring new funding sources to sustain healthcare financing.

Latest updates on how US funding cuts are impacting HIV responses in Guatemala, Lesotho, Namibia and Zimbabwe:

www.unaids.org/en/impact-US...

Countries report ongoing impact from the US funding cuts on their HIV response

Latest reports from 67 UNAIDS offices confirm that, despite efforts by governments and partners to mobilize domestic resources to mitigate risks, US funding cuts continue to severely impact the HIV response, putting millions at risk.

Read the latest report: www.unaids.org/en/resources...

#WeStandTogether

This #ZeroDiscriminationDay and beyond, #WeStandTogether with communities on the frontlines of the HIV response.

Their commitment to dignity, justice, and health equity is vital to ending AIDS.

www.unaids.org/en/resources...

@unaids.org is on @bsky.app, bringing the HIV and AIDS conversation here!

What do you want to see and hear, here ?

Nous redécouvrons Notre-Dame plus belle que jamais.

Nous la retrouvons plus lumineuse que jamais.

Quelle magnifique réouverture !

#Paris #NotreDameCathedral

We will continue to amplify your voices and share your stories on social media, because your voices are the ones that the world needs to hear.

#WorldAIDSDay is not just a campaign. It’s about people. It’s about standing up for health equity, dignity, and the fundamental human rights of every person living with HIV.

To all the activists out there: thank you for your courage and wisdom. You show the world what it means to fight for justice.

Each of these individuals—and so many others I have met—remind me of what resilience truly means, and why our job and role to protect human rights is so important.

Their stories have humbled me and challenged my thinking.

Recently I met with Ibanomonde Ngema from South Africa, an inspiring young woman who is using her voice and social media to support other young women who is living with HIV to get out of self stigma and call on discrimination.

Kimberly Amanda Springer from Trinidad and Tobago is another one who speaks strongly on protecting women’s rights

Paul Ndhlovu from Zimbabwe is one of these inspiring young advocate that I met earlier this year whose work is helping and counselling many other young people to live with HIV.

This year’s #WorldAIDSDay is particularly special to me—it’s my first one with @unaids.bsky.social Over the past few months, I have had the honor of working with great colleagues and meeting some amazing advocates and activists whose courage and resilience inspire me.

Read ⤵️

Cover of World AIDS Day 2024 report titled “Take the RIGHTS path”

The UNAIDS #WorldAIDSDay2024 Report is out!

It shows we can end AIDS by 2030, if we protect everyone’s human rights.

www.unaids.org/en/resources...

🚨 The #WorldAIDSDay2024 report will be out next week - 26 November!​

The report calls on everyone, everywhere, to take the RIGHTS path to #endAIDS as a public health threat by 2030.​

Protecting health starts with protecting rights. rightspath.unaids.org

Interesting discussions about @bsky.app at the Geneva Social Managers confab held at @unaids.bsky.social headquarters.
Thanks @manishkak.bsky.social & Miladin Bogetić 🙏

The world can #endAIDS – if everyone’s rights are protected.

This #WorldAIDSDay2024, join us in calling on everyone to "Take the RIGHTS path."

Download. Share. Support.

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The world will commemorate #WorldAIDSDay2024 on 1 Dec.

#UNAIDS will launch its report ahead of this day, calling on leaders to take the rights path to #endAIDS.

Be part of the conversation!Check out our Trello Board for visuals, videos & more for your social media use!
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Joined the buzz - I’m on BlueSky!