2024-07-26 14:02:14
Munich (dpa) – The World Aids Conference in Munich is concluding with hopeful impulses for better protection against HIV worldwide. Data was presented that is encouraging, said local congress president Christoph Spinner. HIV is now very well treatable – and there have been significant advances in prevention.
For the first time in over 30 years, the world’s largest conference on HIV and Aids, which ends on Friday, has returned to Germany, with almost 10,000 participants attending, and another 2,000 joining online. Networking was also important, said the infectious disease specialist at the Klinikum rechts der Isar of the Technical University of Munich. “We have brought together people from politics, science, and the community.”
More Efforts Needed for UN HIV Targets
However, more effort and binding financial commitments from countries are needed to largely defeat HIV by 2030, as aimed by the UN, and to reduce the infection rate by 90 percent, Spinner stated. Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz took an important step at the beginning of the conference by committing that Germany would continue to participate in the financing of programs such as the Global Fund.
The German AIDS Help organization also called for more political and financial engagement. “This conference has shown more clearly than ever before: The world has highly effective means, but the funding for measures against HIV/AIDS is globally insufficient, and in many countries, there is a lack of political will for prevention for the most affected groups,” said Winfried Holz from the board at the conclusion of the world’s largest scientific meeting on HIV and AIDS.
According to the UN program UNAIDS, global financial resources for combating HIV in low- and middle-income countries are declining. In 2023, they decreased by five percent compared to the previous year to 19.8 billion US dollars, which is 9.5 billion less than the amount of 29.3 billion dollars needed by 2025.
“Gamechanger” in Prevention in Sight
Regarding prevention, Spinner sees great hope in a medication that would be injected every six months. It had prevented a 100 percent infection rate in a study involving more than 5,300 young women and girls in Southern Africa – who, as disadvantaged groups, face a high risk of HIV. This medication could become a “gamechanger,” said Spinner. “There lies a chance for a breakthrough in prevention.”
The question now is whether the drug can be made available quickly and inexpensively, especially in regions heavily affected by HIV, as demanded by the German AIDS Help organization, activists, and UNAIDS.
A series of studies have also shown treatment successes over now partly 25 years. However, it is about sufficient access to life-saving medications worldwide. “In Germany, we generally have no problem here.” More than 95 percent of people with HIV here receive medications that also prevent the transmission of the virus. Worldwide, however, according to UNAIDS figures, it is only 77 percent among adults – and just 57 percent among children under 14.
Certain Medications Also Missing in Germany
“In Germany, new medications have not been introduced or have been withdrawn recently, which makes me quite concerned,” said Spinner. This primarily affects medications for people who have been treated for many years and who rely on reserve medications. Here, politics in Germany needs to take action.
In terms of prevention, there is still “room for improvement” in Germany, as increasing infection rates among heterosexuals, especially among intravenous drug users, indicate. Spinner again urged the establishment of drug consumption rooms and integrated support services in Bavaria, as exists in other federal states and countries. Munich’s mayor Dieter Reiter had called for a rethink from Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) – Munich has long wanted to establish drug consumption rooms.
The AIDS Help organization also renewed this demand. Those who pursue, for example, gay men or people who use intravenous drugs instead of providing them with prevention, face rising infection rates: “We are currently seeing this in Eastern Europe, but it also applies, to some extent, in Germany,” explained AIDS Help.
Concerns About the Rise of the Right
Experts are concerned about the political developments worldwide. “Where right-wing forces are gaining strength, we see that HIV infections are increasing – because risk groups are being criminalized,” said Spinner. This is evident in Eastern Europe, a focal point of the conference.
Questions remain after the renewed healing of an HIV patient at Berlin’s Charité hospital. In this so-called “second Berlin patient,” the HIV virus was no longer detectable following a stem cell transplant as part of cancer treatment – despite the donor not having complete rare HIV immunity.
“It is now about understanding this, so that the principle of healing can be offered to other patients within the framework of new options,” said Spinner. However, a stem cell transplant, with its high risks, is only a pathway for patients with a life-threatening illness.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:240726-930-185317/2
Future Trends in Global HIV/AIDS Initiatives
The recent World AIDS Conference in Munich has concluded with a focus on promising advancements aimed at improving global responses to HIV. Christoph Spinner, the local congress president, highlighted optimistic data indicating that HIV can be effectively treated and significant strides have been made in prevention strategies.
Increased Funding and Commitment Required
One key takeaway from the conference is the urgent need for enhanced political and financial commitments to achieve the UN’s target of significantly reducing HIV infection rates by 2030. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s pledge to maintain funding for initiatives like the Global Fund reflects a proactive approach, but experts warn that collective action is necessary to sustain and increase these global financial resources.
Innovative Prevention Methods on the Horizon
The potential introduction of a semi-annual injectable medication represents a breakthrough in prevention efforts. Early studies, particularly among young women in southern Africa, showed a 100% efficacy in preventing HIV infections. This innovation could reshape the prevention landscape, but accessibility and cost-efficiency remain pivotal factors for success in areas most affected by the virus.
Challenges in Medication Availability
Despite advancements, challenges persist in medication availability both globally and in Germany. Experts point out that the decline in new drug introductions poses a risk for long-term HIV-positive patients who rely on diverse medication options. Moreover, rising infection rates among specific demographics, such as heterosexual individuals and intravenous drug users, underscore the need for improved preventative measures, including safe consumption spaces.
Political Climate and Its Impacts
The political climate plays a critical role in the fight against HIV/AIDS. As far-right movements gain traction globally, public health experts are concerned about the rising stigma faced by affected populations, which can exacerbate the spread of HIV. The conference underscored the need for inclusive policies that prioritize harm reduction strategies.
Research and Future Directions
Ongoing research into potential HIV cures remains essential. The recent case of the “second Berlin patient,” who shows no detectable viral load post-transplantation, opens new avenues for understanding HIV treatment. However, accessibility to such potentially life-saving procedures is limited and primarily suitable for patients with severe health complications.