WHO Urges Urgent Action as HIV Infections and AIDS-Related Deaths Rise in Western Pacific Region

Manilla: The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for immediate action to address the alarming rise in HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths in the Western Pacific Region. According to a recent report, new HIV infections have increased by 8% and AIDS-related deaths by 10% since 2019, reversing years of progress in the fight against the epidemic.

Despite the fact that 76% of people living with HIV in the region have access to life-saving antiretroviral therapy (ART), the WHO warns that these concerning trends highlight critical gaps in prevention, testing, treatment, and care services, particularly for key populations. The epidemic continues to disproportionately affect men who have sex with men, transgender individuals, female sex workers, and people who inject drugs.

Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, emphasized the urgency of addressing these challenges: “The rising HIV infections and deaths in the Western Pacific Region are a wake-up call. We must urgently address the barriers that prevent people — especially those in key populations and their partners — from accessing prevention, treatment and care.”

He added, “Achieving universal health coverage and protecting the right to health are critical to reversing these worrying trends and ensuring that the services are reaching everyone, including the most underserved populations.”

The report reveals that every hour, 16 people are newly infected, and six people die from HIV-related causes in the region. In 2023 alone, there were 2.3 million people living with HIV, 140,000 new infections, and 53,000 deaths. Of particular concern is the 19,000 children living with HIV in the region, with only two-thirds of them receiving ART.

While other WHO regions have made significant progress in reducing new infections, the Western Pacific continues to face substantial challenges. Between 2010 and 2022, new infections among key populations surged by as much as 85%, underscoring persistent inequalities that need urgent attention.

The report highlights that HIV transmission can be prevented, and effective tools, such as condoms, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and needle and syringe programs, are available. People living with HIV who achieve an undetectable viral load through ART can lead long, healthy, and productive lives while preventing the virus from passing to sexual partners. However, these efforts remain underfunded, and stigma and discrimination continue to pose significant barriers.

With World AIDS Day approaching on December 1, WHO is calling on governments and communities across the region to allocate adequate resources to strengthen and sustain HIV services. “Integrating HIV prevention, treatment and care within primary health-care systems is critical to improving the accessibility and resilience of these services,” said Dr Piukala.

He also emphasized the importance of human rights in breaking down barriers to HIV services, noting that this year’s theme – “Take the Right Path: My Health, My Right” – highlights the critical role of human rights in breaking down barriers to HIV services. “Empowering individuals with access to prevention, education and care not only improves their health, but also upholds their fundamental rights.”

Ensuring equal access to HIV services for all is essential to stop new infections and enable people living with HIV to live long, healthy, and fulfilling lives.