Necessary measures against HIV/AIDS: According to the German AIDShilfe, money and political will are missing

Necessary measures against HIV/AIDS: According to the German AIDShilfe, money and political will are missing

World Aid's conference shows gaps and dangers

The 25th International AIDS conference AIDS 2024 recently took place in Munich and provided an insight into the progress and challenges in the global fight against HIV. The German Aidshilfe (DAH) took a balance sheet and drew attention to urgent need for action.

A central topic that was discussed during the conference is the insufficient financing of measures against HIV/AIDS. According to Unaids, the funds available worldwide have decreased by almost 8 percent since 2020. This amount is far below the required $ 29.3 billion, which will be needed for less wealthy countries by 2025.

The new HIV medication Lenacapavir from Gilead is particularly symbolic for this discrepancy between possibilities and action. It offers reliable protection against HIV infection and only needs to be injected twice a year. It could prevent many infections, especially in disadvantaged groups with high HIV risk. However, the price for the drug is $ 40,000 a year, while the production costs are less than 100 euros. The demand to release the active ingredient via the patent pool for production in poorer countries and to make the development costs transparent is collected by that.

There is also urgent need for action in Germany. People without residence papers or health insurance do not have regular access to HIV therapy, which leads to a serious supply gap. The Federal Government has so far failed to comply with this problem, although there are corresponding announcements in the coalition agreement.

Another problem that was discussed during the conference concerns the unequal care of disadvantaged groups. These groups are always worse than others in prevention and treatment. Political and ideological obstacles make the prevention and care of groups such as gay men or intravenous drugs consuming. Eastern Europe is particularly affected, but Germany is also not spared.

The lack of provision of resources for drug help leads to a lack of clean syringes and needles. In addition, there are seven federal states in Germany that still have no drug use, which can save lives and prevent infections. The number of new HIV infections in this group has been increasing.

The World Aid Conference has shown that it is ultimately about the life of millions of people. Stigma, discrimination and exclusion are still the greatest obstacles in the fight against HIV. Who emphasizes that money and responsibility have to be put into the hands of the most affected communities, because only they know best how effective measures can be implemented.

The conference also illustrated the importance of the inclusion of those affected at eye level. Only with openness, political will and sufficient financing can effective measures for the health of everyone.

It remains to be hoped that the knowledge from the World Aid Conference will be implemented in political action and the necessary measures will be taken to close the existing gaps and dangers in the global struggle against HIV/AIDS.