This week ministers from 12 African countries are meeting in Dar es Salaam to endorse Country Action Plans and make commitments for ending AIDS in children for each of the partner countries. This follows the announcement of the new Global Alliance to end AIDS in Children by 2030 at the International AIDS Conference in Montreal on 1 August 2022
RIATT-ESA and all its members welcome the Global Alliance because it is widely recognized that the global HIV response is failing to meet the needs of children. In 2021, only 41% of children (aged 0-14 years) living with HIV globally received antiretroviral therapy, compared to 70% of adults living with HIV, well short of the global target of 95% treatment coverage.
Whilst there is much hope for the Global Alliance, there are two potential challenges that have negatively impacted previous initiatives, which must be avoided. First, national and global political momentum must be sustained in order that the country action plans continue to be prioritised and adequately funded. Second, the very worthy intention is that leaders will be held accountable for their commitments and targets to the Country Action Plans through accountability mechanisms, such as community monitoring, but these will require sustained advocacy and enforcement, which has rarely been achieved in previous initiatives. However, the mood music is currently very upbeat and that is cause for celebration and RIATT-ESA and all its members look forward to supporting the Global Alliance as it moves into implementation.