The Joint UN programme on AIDS, commonly known as UNAIDS, is facing one of the worst challenges afflicting the global AIDS response — this time an existential threat questioning its very relevance. A pivotal roleAt such a crucial time, it is disturbing to hear voices again questioning the relevance of UNAIDS for the global response. Second has been the thinking that the AIDS epidemic can simply be treated away by saturating anti retroviral (ARV) coverage. Weakening activismBut the biggest setback has been the lost voice of vulnerable communities which was the main driving force of AIDS response in the decade after UNGASS. The new executive director has to work relentlessly to place prevention of the epidemic and empowering communities at the centre of global response.

Source: The Hindu July 23, 2019 18:32 UTC