‘Fully Financing’ HIV Response In Africa Will Save Millions Of Lives — UNAIDS

Fully financing the HIV response in Africa will produce substantial health, social and economic gains for the continent, a new report backed by the UN agency devoted to ending AIDS (UNAIDS) revealed.

The report based on research by the Economist Impact partnership across 13 African countries, A Triple Dividend: The health, social and economic gains from financing the HIV response in Africa, estimates that millions of lives will also be saved if funding is forthcoming.

Not only would there be between 40 and 90 per cent fewer new HIV infections, depending on the country, but investing in ending the HIV epidemic would also enhance educational outcomes, especially for young women and girls, reduce gender inequalities and boost economic growth.

“This report comes at a critical time with evidence that should act as a catalyst for political decisions to ensure full HIV funding, that will have substantial social and economic outcomes,” said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS.

“It will put African countries on a path towards building more resilient healthcare systems and be better prepared for future pandemics.”