Harare, Zimbabwe-03 December 2015- African leaders and parliaments gathering in Harare Tuesday to mark the World AIDS Day called for sustained leadership to fast track current efforts to end AIDS by 2030. This year the continental commemorations were celebrated under the theme “sustaining visionary leadership to end AIDS by 2030” during the flagship International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA).
“As we commemorate the World AIDS Day let us collectively renew our vigour and sense of urgency.This calls for political will and commitment by all”, said Zambian Vice President, Inonge Wina, “Home grown solutions and increased budget allocation for health will go a long way towards reaching continental goals” she added.
There is growing recognition that an effective and sustainable response to AIDS is a shared responsibility that demands commitment, strategic action and accountability from diverse stakeholders. The African Union Roadmap for Shared Responsibiity and Global Solidarity to end AIDS, TB and Malaria articulates an emerging approach to global health and development. Built on three pillars-diversified financing, access to affordable and quality assured medicines and leadership, governance and accountability the blueprint provides a pathway to end the three biggest diseases on the continent.The 2014 AIDS Watch Africa report highlights significant progress that has been made by various African countries while urging African Union Member States to accelerate efforts to end these diseases in alignment with the 2013 Abuja Declaration commitments. The Abuja Declaration expresses concern that we are at a critical juncture in fighting AIDS, TB and Malaria with significant shortfalls in financing which threatens further progress.
With economies on the continent growing fast, African leaders have a great opportunity to make stronger commitments towards increasing national health budgets. Many African countries have increased their domestic allocations for the AIDS response, with a number either exploring or having already implemented tax levies, trust funds or other innovative means of mobilising essential financing for the response. At the same time, international HIV assistance also rebounded from its decline during the global financial and economic downturn, rising from US$6.9 billion in 2010 to US$8.6 billion in 2014. Additional measures that are being taken include increased financial commitment by the private sector and inclusion of malaria and HIV services in different forms of health insurance and other health financing schemes. Despite the gaps in health financing, in 2015, domestic sources accounted for 57% of all AIDS-related resources in low- and middle-income countries. Domestic public sector spending on AIDS nearly tripled in low- and middle-income countries from 2006 to 2014.
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For further information contact
Tawanda Chisango| Social Affairs | AWA Programme Advocacy and Partnerships Expert | African Union Commission |Tel: +251115182029 | E-mail: Chisangot@africa-union.org | Web:www.au.int |Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
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