HIV/AIDS: Strategy for the African Region

ABSTRACT

More than 30 years into the pandemic; HIV/AIDS remains a long-term development challenge in the WHO African Region which bears 69 of the global burden and has accounted for more than 70 of the world's AIDS-related deaths. While there has been a decline in the number of new HIV infections; prevalence in the Region remains unacceptably high; estimated at 4.8 in 2011 but much higher in southern Africa. There has been unprecedented political and financial commitment globally and in the Region towards the HIV response. This has led to scaling up of HIV/ AIDS prevention; treatment and care interventions in all countries. The results are encouraging as the number of new infections is decreasing in some countries and there is a reduction in HIV-related mortality as reported in 2010. To consolidate these gains; the Region will need to intensify efforts in HIV response by mobilizing domestic resources; optimizing the synergies between HIV and other health programmes and contributing to health system strengthening. A new WHO Global Health Sector Strategy (GHSS) on HIV/AIDS was adopted by the World Health Assembly in May 2011. The regional HIV/AIDS strategy provides directions for implementing the GHSS in the WHO African Region; taking into account the key regional specificities. The interventions proposed include scaling up prevention; eliminating new HIV infections in children; and expanding access to HIV testing and treatment. It is expected that this strategy will contribute to eliminating new infections among children; reducing new infections among young people and reducing HIV-related deaths. Strengthening health systems and reducing co-morbidities such as TB/HIV will be crucial to achieving the targets set in the regional strategy