Activists are concerned that lack of appropriate practices is stifling the overall global progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS. 

They are worried that, more than half of those living with HIV/AIDS do not have access to treatment, lack access to new prevention tools, while rights of some vulnerable sufferers are abused

Speaking at the opening of the 21st International AIDS Conference in Durban South Africa, yesterday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for immediate response to increase action and sustain recent achievements.

"As a global community, we must move quickly and decisively towards achieving the targets that will help us finally bring this epidemic to an end,” he said.

More than 18,000 global leaders, scientists, advocates, and frontline health workers are attending this year’s conference with an aim of overcoming ongoing barriers.

Chris Beyrer, the AIDS 2016 co-chair and president of the International AIDS society, reiterated that without proper strategic choices hard won gains against the disease would be reversed and such delay would tantamount to defeat.

"This conference comes at another crucial time in the HIV epidemic. To truly succeed in all places and for all people, we must ensure that every action we take is grounded in science, respects human rights, and is fully funded for success,” said Beyrer.

Meanwhile, Dr Olive Shisana, the AIDS 2016 local co-chair and CEO of Evidence Based solutions, warned that although great strides had been made around the globe, it is far too soon to declare victory.

Ring effective against HIV1

Meanwhile, new data analyses announced at the conference provide additional evidence suggesting that the monthly dapivirine vaginal ring provides significant protection against HIV infection in women when used consistently.

The ring, developed by the nonprofit International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM), is designed to safely and effectively deliver an ARV drug to prevent HIV-1 during vaginal sex.

"We are encouraged by these new analyses, which further support that the dapivirine ring could be an important option for women who urgently need new tools to protect themselves from HIV,” said Dr Zeda Rosenberg, founder and chief executive officer of IPM. 

The new data were released as two open-label studies of the ring begin and as IPM pursues regulatory approvals for the product for its use in developing countries. 

"While IPM seeks regulatory approval for the ring, we will continue to work to understand how we can best support women to use it consistently, and advance research to expand women’s options with additional new methods that make sense for their lives and needs,” he added.

Earlier this year, results from two large Phase III clinical trials in Africa – The Ring Study, led by IPM, and ASPIRE, led by the U.S. National Institutes of Health-funded Microbicide Trials Network (MTN)–showed that the monthly dapivirine ring safely reduced HIV-1 infection overall by 31 per cent and 27 per cent, respectively, compared to a placebo.

However the new analyses announced at the conference provide more significant results after researchers found that, among women who appeared to use the monthly ring consistently, HIV risk was cut by at least 56 per cent — a statistically significant finding.

Additional subgroup analyses of women who appeared to use the ring the most suggest that the product reduced HIV risk by 75 per cent or more.

More than 17 million people living with HIV are on treatment globally, but tools such as pre-exposure prophylaxis PrEP, among others, remain out of their reach. The global target is to have universal health coverage by 2030.

Organised under the theme ‘Access Equity Rights now’ the opening of the five day conference coincided with the International Mandela Day. 

editorial@newtimes.co.rw