Access to ARV treatment has saved millions of lives in South Africa | WORLD AIDS DAY

With millions of people living with HIV in South Africa, the country has made significant strides to ensure the endemic is no longer the killer it once was at its peak in the 90s. 

The provision of antiretroviral treatment has vastly improved life expectancy, and although infection rates are still worrying, they are far lower than in the past.

The prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and the introduction of new vaccines such as the pneumococcal and rotavirus vaccines for children, has also greatly assisted as part of the efforts to combat HIV/Aids.

The first case of HIV/Aids reported in South Africa occurred in the early 1980s, and through the late and early 1990s, the virus became a taboo amongst many South Africans who were living with it, as well as those who were not.

In the early 2000s, South Africa was faced with a rapid spread of HIV/AIDS.

However with the increase of accessibility to health care as well as de-stigmatisation of HIV, South Africa has made progress in reducing the infections as well as educating people about it.

With the introduction of ARVs in South Africa in the beginning of 2002, the treatment was effective because the HIV/AIDS death statistics decreased and people became transparent with their status while taking their medication.

WORLD AIDS DAY

World AIDS Day was designated on December 1, 1988, where every year people across the globe raise awareness of the AIDS pandemic, to encourage HIV and AIDS prevention, treatment and care.

Every year, there is a different theme dedicated to World AIDs Day and this year’s theme is “My health, my right!”.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), this theme is to emphasise that the world can end AIDS if everyone's rights are protected. 

“With human rights at the centre, with communities in the lead, the world can end AIDS as a public threat by 2030.

“WHO is calling on global leaders and citizens to champion the right to health by addressing the inequalities that hinder progress in ending AIDS,” said the organisation on their official WHO website.

In addition, according to the WHO website, in 2023 an estimated 39.9 million people were living with HIV globally. And approximately 630,000 people died from HIV-related causes in the same year.

An estimated 1.3 million people have been diagnosed with HIV in 2023. 

Furthermore, when the ARV treatment was rolled out, AIDS related deaths started to drop. At least 50,000 people were estimated to have died of AIDS related deaths in 2022. 

HIV infections have also declined, from its peak at 1.32 percent in 1999, it went down to 0.32 percent in 2022. The infections are expected to fall to 0.23 percent by 2030.

The introduction of PrEP and how it works

Even though ARVs have shown to be effective, to combat and stop the spread of infections nationally,Pre-exposure prophylaxis was introduced in South Africa.

The PrEp pill is medication that reduces the risk of people getting infected with HIV and AIDS.

PrEP was first introduced in 2022 so that people across the globe can take it to prevent themselves from getting infected and just like ARVs, it has to be taken everyday at the same time for it to be effective.

The HIV/AIDS infection statistics have dropped drastically since the introduction of the pill because the roll-out plan has been successful with many netizens taking the pill.

PrEp has also shown to be effective from stopping HIV taking hold and spreading throughout your body if taken before the 24-hours exposure to HIV.

PrEP is available as pills or injections, and it is available from any health care provider.

Influencers who are living with HIV and AIDS

Many individuals across the globe who live with HIV and AIDS, have become influencers who still bring awareness about the disease as well as destigmatise it.

Influencer and X user @ThembisileQ21 lives with HIV and is also an HIV activist who raises awareness about the disease on her social media platforms.

Another influencer and Tiktok user @callme_thandolwethu lives with HIV and creates educational content raising awareness about it. 

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