SADC, UNAIDS team up on HIV fight

SADC teamed up with UNAIDS last week to keep fighting HIV/AIDS across southern Africa. They agreed they must find more money at home because foreign help keeps shrinking. Mr. Elias Magosi from SADC met with Ms. Anne Githuku-Shongwe from UNAIDS to talk about the next steps. Both groups said they need better plans for young people who face the highest risk. Zimbabwe has already reached important targets that show they can control the spread of HIV.

Money troubles worry everyone as international partners cut back their support. SADC and UNAIDS want countries to spend more of their cash on health programs. They believe businesses should help pay for HIV prevention efforts through new partnerships. Several officials joined the main leaders at their meeting. They discussed ways to make sure good programs stay funded when outside money disappears. Both groups plan a special meeting where health ministers will talk directly with finance ministers.

Mr. Magosi thanked UNAIDS for helping create progress reports that show what works best. These reports give technical advice to all member countries about smart HIV prevention. UNAIDS also helped arrange talks about health money in different nations. These meetings let various groups decide what matters most when budgets stay tight. Local stakeholders can develop better strategies during these national conversations. Everyone agrees that countries must become less dependent on foreign donations.

The Trump administration recently made huge cuts to global HIV funding, creating an emergency situation for many African health systems. President Mnangagwa, who leads the SADC, wants each country to find its solutions. He believes African nations can pay for more HIV prevention themselves. The future depends on smart planning by local governments rather than waiting for outside help. Health officials across southern Africa know they need creative answers fast.

SADC represents many nations working together on shared problems like public health. When AIDS first appeared, foreign groups paid most treatment costs. That system worked for years, but it cannot continue forever. Local taxes must replace foreign aid as the main funding source. Both SADC and UNAIDS recognize that this major shift requires careful planning. They want smooth transitions rather than sudden program shutdowns that might harm patients. Their partnership focuses on making these changes happen without losing ground against the virus.
 

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