The World Health Organisation (WHO) says that the African continent has the largest number of people living with HIV/AIDS with 25.6 million people living with the disease.
Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, said this in her message to commemorate this year’s World AIDS Day.
The Day is celebrated every December 1 to draw global attention to the disease and remind stakeholders that it is still very much around.
According to her, progress has been made over the past decade with new infections reduced by 44 per cent.
AIDS-related deaths have also been reduced by 55 per cent, she added.
She said that the year 2022 theme – “Equalise” – represented a plea to everyone to address the inequalities driving the epidemic and holding back progress toward ending AIDS.
Moeti said that the progress was made because WHO and partners advocated and supported the expansion of new HIV prevention and treatment technologies.
