Why are key populations on the blindspot in the global HIV response?
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Bobby Ramakant – CNS
"Put people first is a reminder that the people we serve is at the very heart of our work” said Professor Sharon Lewin, International Co-Chairperson of world’s largest AIDS conference this year (25th International AIDS Conference or AIDS 2024). But when we look at the global HIV response, those people who are most at risk of the virus, are seldom receiving HIV and other health services with right, human dignity and without any stigma, discrimination or crimina- lisation.
That is why AIDS 2024 - for the first time in the history of such conferences – is dedicated an entire pre-conference on HIV key populations on the theme: “Demand and delivery: securing rights, funding and prevention,” said Michael Ighodaro, global Director of Global Black Gay Men Connect. Key populations are not only key because of their heightened risk of HIV acquisition but also key because key population-led interventions have proven to be most effective in delivering quality HIV and health services. HIV programmes that have genuinely engaged key populations in leadership and decision-making at all levels, have proven to be real game-changers when it comes to reaching-the-unreached and serving quality healthcare services. (To be contd)
"Put people first is a reminder that the people we serve is at the very heart of our work” said Professor Sharon Lewin, International Co-Chairperson of world’s largest AIDS conference this year (25th International AIDS Conference or AIDS 2024). But when we look at the global HIV response, those people who are most at risk of the virus, are seldom receiving HIV and other health services with right, human dignity and without any stigma, discrimination or crimina- lisation.
That is why AIDS 2024 - for the first time in the history of such conferences – is dedicated an entire pre-conference on HIV key populations on the theme: “Demand and delivery: securing rights, funding and prevention,” said Michael Ighodaro, global Director of Global Black Gay Men Connect. Key populations are not only key because of their heightened risk of HIV acquisition but also key because key population-led interventions have proven to be most effective in delivering quality HIV and health services. HIV programmes that have genuinely engaged key populations in leadership and decision-making at all levels, have proven to be real game-changers when it comes to reaching-the-unreached and serving quality healthcare services. (To be contd)