A statement by Dr. Tedros on World AIDS Day 2017. Excerpt:
Since the very beginning of the epidemic, the HIV response has been centred on human rights, equity and communities, the very foundations upon which universal health coverage has been built.
As the HIV epidemic has evolved over the years, it has been the most vulnerable, marginalized communities and individuals that have been disproportionately affected.
As early as the 1980s populations at greatest risk of, and people living with, HIV argued that communities must be at the centre of any response if the threat of HIV is to be overcome.
Soon it became evident that the meaningful involvement of those communities was not only a moral imperative but also constituted good public health practice; public health measures could reach those populations and locations most affected, improve service uptake and efficiencies, achieve equitable coverage and result in greater and more sustained impact.
The HIV response has played a critical role in transforming public health, and in turn has influenced the shaping of the universal health coverage agenda.
We have achieved much in the past 30 years. Today 21 million people are receiving antiretroviral therapy that is enabling them to live full and productive lives. Every day, fewer people are becoming infected with HIV and fewer people are dying. But these successes are masking the many disparities and challenges that persist.
Why, after three decades of recognizing the critical role of communities in driving the HIV response are we still seeing those populations most at risk being left behind, marginalized and discriminated against?
Why is it that men who have sex with men, sex workers, transgender people, people who inject drugs and prisoners, representing 40% of new HIV infections in 2016, continue to be denied the most basic health services?
Why is it that many young women, adolescents, migrants and displaced persons find themselves particularly vulnerable to HIV infection?
And, why is it that adolescent boys and young men do not access the HIV and other health services provided ?
On this World AIDS Day we are here to remind you that “Everybody Counts”!
