Every five minutes, a child dies from an AIDS-related illness.
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus was contracted by 160,000 children in 2021, according to the World Health Organization.
A child worldwide dies from AIDS-related causes every five minutes, according to the WHO.
The global health organization noted in a press release that was made available to our correspondent that ministers and representatives from twelve African nations have committed to ending AIDS in children by 2030 and have outlined their plans for doing so.
“A child dies from an AIDS-related cause every five minutes worldwide.
“Only half (52%) of children with HIV are receiving life-saving care, far fewer than the three-quarters (76%) of adults who are taking antiretrovirals.
“In 2021, HIV was first discovered in 160,000 children.
In spite of making up only 4% of the total number of HIV-positive individuals, children accounted for 15% of all AIDS-related deaths, according to the statement.
Twelve nations with high HIV prevalence rates, including Nigeria, Angola, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, have joined the alliance to ensure that the 2030 target is met.
Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, the director general of the WHO, stated that the organization is dedicated to providing HIV treatment for all children.
More than 40 years after AIDS first appeared, Dr. Ghebreyesus stated, “Progress has stalled. We have made great strides in preventing pediatric infections and expanding access to care.
“A vital initiative to reenergize progress is the Global Alliance to End AIDS in Children. In order to realize our shared vision of ending AIDS in children by 2030, WHO is committed to assisting nations with the technical leadership and policy implementation.
As stated by Winnie Byanyima, executive director of UNAIDS, “Leaders today have set out their commitment to the determined action needed to put it right. An inequality that breaks my heart is that against children living with HIV. According to the leaders, no child living with HIV needs to go without treatment, and no baby needs to be born infected with HIV or contract it while being breastfed. The message from the leaders was crystal clear: “We will close the treatment gap for kids to save kids’ lives.”
According to Peter Sands, Executive Director of The Global Fund, “No child should be born with HIV, and no child should pass away from an AIDS-related illness, in 2023.
“Let’s take advantage of this chance to collaborate in order to ensure that the action plans endorsed today are translated into actionable steps and scaled-up.
“We know we can accomplish remarkable results when working together, led by communities most impacted by HIV.”
