Oral East AfricaThe Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+) is calling on world leaders to implement sustainability plans they have been proposing over the last few years to transition from American funding of life-saving drugs.
People living with HIV were thrown into uncertainty over access to medication after President Donald Trump froze foreign aid for 90 days and thereafter imposed a stop-work order affecting the operations of PEPFAR and in many cases our access to HIV treatment.
Only later did US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio approve the “Emergency Humanitarian Waiver” that will continue to provide American funding as countries transition.
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The leadership of national PLHIV networks in various countries were forced to step up and are working with their governments and key partners to ensure no treatment disruptions while innovating to adapt the community interventions that are most impacted by this decision.
GNP+ said national governments are already stepping up assuring PLWHIV they will provide access for a whole year
“We extend gratitude to our national governments for their strong leadership and political commitment to the ambitions of the HIV response and are excited to learn from our urgent convening of PLHIV Leaders from national and regional networks yesterday, 30th January 2025 about the rapid response plans that many countries have in place to weather these times,” Cedric Nininahazwe GNP+ Director-Global Advocacy, Communication and Partnerships said.
“Many of our colleagues have updates of National Governments assurance of secured treatment supply for extended periods of up to one year. A true testament to strong multi sectoral collaboration at country level,” he said.
Pepfar transition
Mr Nininahazwe said these events have not only shaken PLWHIV to the core but reminded them all, of what is fundamentally important; their access to life-saving ARV treatment.
The intention of PEPFAR to transition out of supporting our national Government HIV programs is not news to many people involved in HIV programs, particularly PLHIV leaders who have been engaging in the HIV response sustainability plans under the leadership of UNAIDS, PEPFAR and our national governments.
Last December, many countries launched their country's Sustainability roadmaps to provide a new part way for the HIV response post-2030, however, the sustainability plans are yet to be finalized in most countries.
The UNAIDS is leading us all in developing the next Global AIDS Strategy (2026- 2030) and preparing for the 2026 UN High-Level meeting on HIV/AIDS where member states will adopt the 2026 Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS.
Putting communities first
They say it is important that with the world’s attention now focused on the transition from PEPFAR that we begin to listen to communities affected by HIV, our experience on what has worked over the years as we look for a sustainable way to end AIDS and keep people alive.
“In 2023, 630,000 people died from AIDS, likely from preventable and treatable opportunistic infections. For us these are not just numbers, but our partners, children, friends and fellow activists we have lost to the horrible effects of this disease,” Mr Nininahazwe said.
“We the People Living with HIV, call on our Global Leaders to keep your promise to us and to the world: End AIDS as a public health threat and keep us alive,” he said.
GNP+ particularly call on all national governments, Global leaders in the AIDS response, and partners to work with them and develop concrete plans to get services and treatment for people living with HIV back on course, ensuring continuity, accessibility and quality.
They said the HIV response owes its success to our strong partnership and meaningful engagement of people living with HIV, with more than 40 years of experience.
Now more than ever, the community of PLHIV is committed to working with Global Leaders to define our priorities and efficiently use the available resources to continue saving lives of PLHIV. GNP+ commits to working with you all to strengthen local for global PLHIV led advocacy for policies and plans that get the HIV response to Victory. Ending AIDS and keeping people alive.
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