The search for a cure against HIV/Aids continues as scientists, and scholars continue to find new ways to dealing with the virus across the globe and the continent. Picture: Navesh Chitrakar / REUTERS
As World Aids Day approaches on December 1, communities around the globe will once again unite to honour those affected by HIV/Aids and to renew their commitment to eradicating the epidemic.
This year’s theme resonates deeply with the progress made and the challenges still faced, particularly in Africa, where more than 26 million of the nearly 40 million people living with HIV reside.
Professor Thumbi Ndung’u, an esteemed HIV/Aids expert and director of basic and translational science at the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) in KwaZulu-Natal, asserts that while strides have been made in combating new infections, the quest for a cure is more urgent than ever.
“We have made tremendous progress. There are very effective HIV prevention and treatment methods,” Ndung’u highlights.
However, the sobering reality remains that nearly 40 million people worldwide are still living with HIV.
“Most of those people live in Africa. We need new solutions,” he adds, indicating that the landscape of HIV/Aids is shifting, with most new infections occurring outside the continent.
Significant advancements in antiretroviral (ARV) therapy have been pivotal. Since its introduction free of charge in the South African public healthcare system in 2004, ARV treatment has been pivotal in reducing new HIV infections by an estimated 50% from 2010 to 2021.
Globally, infections have plummeted by 60% since their 1995 peak, underscoring the impact of effective treatments.
Despite these successes, Ndung’u seeks further innovations to address the burdens faced by those living with HIV, particularly the long-term side effects of ARV use.
“People living with HIV on ARV therapy tend to have higher incidences of comorbidities such as metabolic disorders and cancer compared to individuals without HIV,” he notes.
This highlights the urgent need for alternative solutions, including the search for a vaccine against HIV and an effective cure.
The ambition of the third United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) aims to ensure good health and well-being by 2030, with a critical target of reducing new HIV infections and Aids-related deaths by 90%.
Achieving this requires not just continued support for ARV therapy but also groundbreaking research into innovative solutions.
Despite decades of exploration, developing an effective vaccine has proven to be a formidable challenge.
“We used to say that a vaccine was just around the corner,” Ndung’u reflects, “but it’s hard to predict when we might develop one.”
His optimism is tempered by reality, acknowledging that only seven people worldwide have been entirely cured of HIV, all through risky bone marrow transplants that are not viable options for most patients.
“But we must continue researching, or we will never make discoveries. Research gives us a chance,” Ndung’u asserts, emphasising the critical need for ongoing investment and focus on innovative strategies in the fight against HIV/Aids.
The Star
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