Sat Nov 30 11:35:47 UTC 2024: ## India’s Progress Against AIDS Threatened by Funding Shortages and Global Crises

**Chennai, November 30, 2024** – While India has made significant strides in combating HIV/AIDS, including making antiretroviral therapy (ART) widely accessible, a funding crisis threatens to derail progress, according to the AIDS Society of India (ASI). On World AIDS Day (December 1st), the ASI highlighted the challenges despite India’s success in reducing new infections and AIDS-related deaths.

The ASI’s press release emphasizes that despite providing ART to over 92% of people living with HIV (PLHIV) globally, 39.9 million people worldwide still live with HIV, with 9.2 million lacking access to treatment. India, with an estimated 2.4 million PLHIV in 2023 (third highest globally), faces the challenge of sustaining these efforts. Dwindling donor funds, climate change-related disasters, and global conflicts are hindering progress, the ASI warns.

Further challenges include insufficient implementation of preventative measures like pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and the rise of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) among PLHIV. The ASI urges for increased domestic manufacturing of PrEP medications, including long-acting injectables, to improve accessibility, particularly for at-risk communities. Better integration of NCD care for those with HIV is also crucial.

The ASI stresses that ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 is achievable. This requires removing obstacles like discriminatory laws and policies, empowering community organizations, and addressing funding shortages. N. Kumarasamy, ASI Secretary General, stated, “We know how to prevent, diagnose, treat, care, and support PLHIV—let us use this knowledge to end AIDS.” The ASI calls for urgent action to support ongoing progress and ensure a future free from the threat of HIV/AIDS.

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