Effective and well-tolerated antiretroviral therapy (ART) has transformed HIV into a manageable, lifelong condition. It has also provided an effective tool for the prevention of new infections, setting the stage to achieve the promise of an HIV-free generation.
But, what do we need to end the HIV epidemic?
Remarkable global efforts have set the strategic framework to achieve the UNAIDS targets of 90% of people at risk or living with HIV to be linked to people-centered and context-specific integrated services. While national programs in certain regions and countries are advanced toward achieving the targets, others are lagging. This uneven progress highlights a need to exchange experiences on successful strategies, and ultimately strengthen the universal response.
Toward 95 % of people know their status.
Stigma, often internalized by PLWH, largely affects timely diagnosis due to a fear of the public perception of an HIV-positive status, further increasing the gap in the diagnosis and treatment cascade. Self-testing options and community-led services, on the other hand, are reducing this barrier facilitating the uptake of testing.
Toward 95 % of people with known status initiate treatment.
Rapid start, the U=U principle, simplification of treatment, and peer-support intervention are the cornerstone to improve the uptake of HIV treatment.
Toward 95 % of people on the treatment are virally suppressed.
New long-acting formulations are designed to reduce the daily pill burden experienced by PLWH, and tackle issues around compromised adherence. Nevertheless, one size does not fit all, and differentiated models of care are key to maintaining PLWH in care.
To support these global efforts and bring them a step closer to PLWH, we are organizing a regional series “HIV Cascade of Care: Closing the Gap”. The program aims to address the remaining gaps toward an HIV-free generation and the strategies to close those gaps considering differences in epidemiology patterns, healthcare settings, and social milieus. Importantly, in contrast to the existing initiative, the spotlight of this program is on healthcare service delivery, rather than public health strategies. It provides a much-needed forum to exchange experience and extrapolate successful examples of comprehensive HIV care and service to achieve UNAIDS targets and ultimately end the HIV epidemic.
The previous edition in 2023 attracted more than 400 participants, mainly clinicians working in (HIV) Infectious Disease. Almost all (98%) indicated that attending this meeting is beneficial for the clinical management of their patients. The meeting was scored GREAT based on the Net Promoter Score (NPS).
This year’s edition will focus on the challenges faced by children and young adolescents with topics like prevention of vertical transmission, early infant diagnosis, pediatric treatment, and transitioning to adult care.
