Impact of COVID 19 on the war against HIV/AIDS
The COVID-19 pandemic is having a serious impact on the most vulnerable communities worldwide and threatens progress on HIV, TB, malaria, vaccination and other areas of health.
According to Global fund report, COVID-19 has largely disrupted health systems and health service delivery for HIV, TB and malaria in low- and middle-income countries.
Covid-19 is derailing the war on HIV in multiple ways.
1. Disrupting access and availability of life saving antiretroviral treatment
2. Distrupting prevention and testing programs. Their has been reduced outreach and access to testing and drug enrollment
3.Increased vulnerability as people whose immune has been compromised are likely to be more vulnerable to COVID-19
4. Increased poverty and exclusion as COVID-19 lockdowns threaten livelihoods and lead to increased gender based violence.
The COVID-19 pandemic risks reversing the hard-won gains made in HIV prevention, including the 23% reduction in new infections since 2010. And this is at a time when much more still needs to be done to drastically reduce new HIV infections. COVID-19 has drawn attention away from other health priorities, and poses a serious threat to the HIV and TB responses. We need to all step up our advocacy to demand access to quality health services and protection of human rights.
