Samar: Up to six million new HIV infections and four million AIDS-related deaths could occur between 2025 and 2029 if vital treatment and prevention services collapse amid a deepening global funding crisis, the UNAIDS warned Thursday. In its 2025 Global AIDS Update, the organization highlighted the severe impact of abrupt and widespread cuts in international funding, which are dismantling HIV services in countries most affected by the epidemic.
According to Philippines News Agency, this funding gap is causing services to vanish and health workers to be sent home, with vulnerable populations, especially children, being pushed out of care. In Mozambique, the crisis has affected more than 30,000 health workers. Nigeria has seen a significant drop in the number of people starting pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) each month, from 40,000 to 6,000, putting at risk the progress made in recent decades.
In 2024, a reported 630,000 people died from AIDS-related causes, with 9.2 million people living with HIV, including 620,000 children, still lacking access to treatment. Sub-Saharan Africa remains heavily impacted, accounting for 61 percent of all AIDS-related deaths.
Despite the crisis, there is some progress. South Africa, for instance, funds 77 percent of its AIDS response and plans to expand its investment. Additionally, seven African countries have reached the 95-95-95 treatment targets, showing that substantial progress can be achieved with adequate resources and commitment.
UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima emphasized the urgent need for action, stating, "Together, we can still end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 - if we act with urgency, unity, and unwavering commitment."
