A recent study published in The Lancet HIV, conducted by the Burnet Institute and WHO, showed a critical issue regarding funding cuts on the global HIV response
This research highlights the pressing need for sustained financial support to continue progress in preventing HIV infections and deaths. The study examined data from 26 countries and found that a reduction in international funding could result in significant setbacks in the fight against HIV, with millions of additional infections and deaths projected by 2030.
The need for international HIV support
The study showed that if international support decreases, an estimated 4.43 to 10.75 million new HIV infections could occur by 2030. Among these, up to 880,000 could be children.
The death toll could also rise by 770,000 to 2.93 million, including up to 120,000 child deaths. Sub-Saharan Africa, where HIV has had a disproportionate impact, could be particularly hard hit. This region has made considerable strides in HIV treatment and prevention, but these gains are at risk without ongoing financial backing.
Consequences of stopping HIV treatment
When treatment is discontinued, HIV viral load increases rapidly, and the immune system weakens, which not only accelerates the progression to AIDS but also increases the likelihood of HIV transmission.
Even if treatment resumes after a short interruption, the damage could already be done, leading to millions more infections. If funds were diverted from HIV testing and prevention to maintain treatment for those already infected, it could result in an additional 1.7 million new infections by 2030, further showing the global HIV crisis.
International donors, including programs like PEPFAR and The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, have been crucial in funding HIV services in low- and middle-income countries, providing nearly 40% of all HIV-related financial support since 2015. These funds are essential not only for treatment but also for prevention efforts, outreach programs, and research into new interventions that could reduce the spread of HIV. Without this support, many of the advancements made over the past decade could be undone.
The impact of funding disruptions: The global HIV response
The impact of funding disruptions is already being felt with staffing shortages, supply chain issues, and barriers to accessing prevention and treatment services on the rise. The study shows the importance of developing innovative financing solutions, particularly country-led strategies integrating HIV services into broader health systems. This approach could help ensure that HIV services remain available, despite shifting global funding priorities.
Maintaining the global fight against HIV requires continued international collaboration and investment. Countries must work together to ensure that the progress made in HIV treatment and prevention is not reversed. Additionally, building the capacity of national health systems to manage and sustain HIV services in the long term is critical to protecting the health and well-being of vulnerable populations. Investing in HIV response programs is not just about preventing new infections; it is about saving lives, particularly among those who are most at risk.
