WHO calls for equitable HIV prevention and care services across Africa

The World Health Organization (WHO) African Region has reiterated its call for universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, and care, emphasizing the importance of equitable healthcare as a fundamental human right.

In a recent statement shared under the campaign hashtag #MyHealthMyRight, the organization stressed that everyone, regardless of HIV status, background, gender, or location, deserves timely and accessible health services.

This call to action comes as Africa continues to shoulder a significant burden of the global HIV epidemic, with the region accounting for two-thirds of all new HIV infections.

Despite progress in reducing HIV transmission and expanding antiretroviral therapy (ART), gaps in access to prevention services remain a critical challenge, especially in rural and marginalized communities.

Efforts to combat HIV have led to notable successes.

Over the past decade, the availability of ART has increased significantly, reducing AIDS-related deaths and improving the quality of life for millions living with HIV.

WHO and partner organizations have also supported the rollout of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a highly effective medication for preventing HIV, particularly among high-risk populations such as adolescents, sex workers, and men who have sex with men.

However, prevention efforts still face barriers.

Many individuals, particularly in remote areas, lack access to PrEP, HIV testing, and education programs due to inadequate healthcare infrastructure and stigma surrounding the disease.

Young women and adolescent girls in sub-Saharan Africa remain disproportionately affected, accounting for a majority of new infections in the region.

In its statement, WHO highlighted the importance of protecting the rights of all individuals by ensuring equitable access to health services.

This includes addressing structural barriers such as poverty, gender inequality, and discrimination, which hinder vulnerable populations from accessing HIV prevention and care.

"Health services must be designed to reach everyone, no matter where they live or their social status. We cannot achieve universal health coverage unless we eliminate the barriers that prevent people from accessing care," said a WHO official.

The organization also emphasized the need for stronger integration of HIV services into primary healthcare systems, making it easier for individuals to access testing, treatment, and prevention services under one roof.

Community-led initiatives are central to WHO’s vision for equitable healthcare. Local organizations and grassroots campaigns have proven effective in breaking down stigma and promoting awareness about HIV prevention tools like condoms, PrEP, and voluntary male circumcision.

Efforts to involve community health workers in delivering HIV services are also helping to close the gap in underserved regions.

As the world observes the ongoing fight against HIV during campaigns such as #MyHealthMyRight, the focus remains on scaling up prevention measures and addressing disparities in access to care.

WHO has called on governments, international partners, and local organizations to prioritize HIV prevention as part of broader health equity initiatives.

Achieving equitable access to HIV prevention and care services is not only essential for reducing the spread of the virus but also for protecting the dignity and rights of millions living with or at risk of HIV.

As the campaign highlights, health is a universal right—and no one should be left behind.