We are getting closer to four decades of AIDS epidemic as a serious challenge to global public health. Africa has particularly faced enormous health and development setbacks during this period. In West and Central Africa, governments and their partners have succeeded to place 1.8 million of their people living with HIV on life-saving antiretroviral therapy. But all is not yet well as UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé, reminded during the 29th African Union Conference:
“Even if there are positive signs of new trajectory for treatment acceleration, there is still a long way to go.” In the 25 countries of West and Central Africa, 6.5 million people were living with HIV at the end of 2015 and 500,000 of them were children. On July 3, under the leadership of President Alpha Condé, Chair of the African Union, the AIDS Watch Africa Heads of state and government meeting, which gathered around 20 head of states, and as many ministers representing their countries, endorsed
‘Th e Western and Central Africa CatchUp Plan: Putting HIV Treatment on the Fast-Track by 2018. Th ey all agreed to redouble their eff orts to achieve the political declaration to end AIDS by 2030, as a key facilitator for the achievement of all the Sustainable Development Goals.
Th e endorsement symbolises a new and dynamic phase in the HIV response in West and Central Africa. It off ers us all the opportunity to speed up the delivery of the commitments already made towards ensuring that by 2020, 90 per cent of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status; 90 per cent of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy, and 90 people of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will achieve viral suppression.
West and Central Africa has paved its path to catch up with other regions in the race to end AIDS by 2030 and UNAIDS is in full support of its endeavours. More than ever before, speedy action by governments is of the essence. Support from the UN and important partners like PEPFAR, Th e Global Fund, Doctors Without Borders and faith-based organisations that work with communities across the region will be critical to our success. Together, we can make this plan workable. Together, we can end AIDS by 2030. Dr. Djibril Diallo, UNAIDS Director, Regional Support Team for West and Central Africa
