Today is December 1st. While the rest of the month brings promises of presents under the tree and widespread holiday cheer, the world first takes the time to commemorate the millions of people who have suffered or died of AIDS-related illnesses on the 37th World Aids Day. This year’s theme “Collective Action: Sustain and Accelerate HIV Progress” encourages communities to continue making progress through HIV-related programs, ensuring no one feels alone in their struggles with HIV/AIDS.
To do so, it is essential that we work together to combat the burdensome prevalence of HIV across the globe. According to WHO, approximately 39.9 million people were living with HIV by the end of 2023. In Kenya, an estimated 1.6 million people—more than six percent of the population—are living with HIV/AIDS. Vulnerable populations in particular—women, children, men who have sex with other men—are more prone to being hit by the epidemic. Many are hindered from receiving the proper testing, prevention, and treatment tools they need; others are burdened by restrictions like stigma and lack of awareness.
While there is no cure for the disease, it is still very possible for those with HIV/AIDS to live healthy lives. By fostering safe and supportive environments coupled with accessible health services, we can help treat and prevent HIV for many.
USAID emphasizes that “prevention is closely coordinated with counseling and testing activities.” In Kenya, there are over 5,800 testing sites for the general population. The Government of Kenya has also expanded services to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS; services from private health facilities are also supported. Preventative measures include integrating HIV and SRHR services and offering PrEP and a range of prevention services and sexuality education for young people. Kenya’s response to HIV diagnoses—which is aided by monitoring HIV prevalence in every region—has reduced AIDS-related deaths in Kenya by 64% since 2010.
As for Zawadi, we offer HIV testing as well as counseling at our clinic. A couple months ago, we also hosted a medical camp to mark World Literacy Day, where we provided a wide range of free services, ranging from consultation to cervical cancer screening. Providing such treatment and prevention programs facilitates the lives of patients, especially those who need some guidance regarding their personal health. A little bit can go a long way, especially when it comes to life-threatening diseases like HIV/AIDS.
As Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Rachel L. Levine said, “We must all come together to remember the millions of people we have lost to HIV/AIDS. In their memory, we know we must take collective action to continually improve, resource, and further the reach of programs to the communities most and disproportionately impacted by HIV.”
Knowledge about HIV/AIDS isn’t something only those afflicted by the virus should have. To tackle the struggles and stigma surrounding the disease, it is critical for not only health providers, but everyone to listen to and empathize with those living with HIV. Only together as a united force and loving community are we stronger in the war against public health threats like AIDS. Together, we can end the HIV epidemic and succeed in saving the lives of millions.
