Dr Charlene Omrawo’s Post

The world can end AIDS if everyone’s rights are protected. With human rights at the centre and communities in the lead, the world can end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. On 1 December, WHO joins partners and communities to commemorate World AIDS Day 2024 under the theme “Take the rights path: My health, my right!". In this year’s campaign, WHO is calling on global leaders and citizens to champion the right to health by addressing the inequalities that hinder progress in ending AIDS.  #worldaidsday2024

We end the AIDS epidemic by ensuring no one is left behind in the fight. Read the UNAIDS report ahead of #WorldAIDSDay2024 and explore the recently updated #NoDataNoMore scorecard to learn how to advocate and track trans inclusion in HIV research. https://lnkd.in/eKdDStbK

Our overreliance on aid has brought us to a precarious juncture where lives are at stake due to a single policy decision. Here are three areas to start changing that, immediately. #Opinion by Valerie Odhiambo.

Ending AIDS starts with protecting rights and empowering communities. When we fight the stigma, uphold equality, and ensure access for all, we pave the way to a future free from AIDS. This year's theme, "Take the rights path: My health, my right!", highlights the need to address the inequalities that hinder progress in ending AIDS. Together, we can make it happen. #WorldAIDSDay #2024WorldAIDSDay #EndAIDS #HumanRights

We can't turn away when every minute, somewhere in the world, a person dies of AIDS-related causes. In my role as Executive Director of UNAIDS, I had the privilege of presenting opening remarks at the Opening Ceremony of this year's International AIDS Society Conference 2024. I highlighted three calls to actions, for our world leaders. First, ensure that the work to #endAIDS is fully resourced.  Second, get the long-acting medicines to all low- and middle-income countries ("Gilead Sciences, I’m calling you, I know you’re in the room!") Third, scrap the hateful, harmful, punitive laws. You can read my remarks directly on the UNAIDS website here: https://lnkd.in/eVKtUnhY #HumanRights #HealthForAll #HIVAIDS

Inspired by stories and people from across the globe, I return from #AIDS2024 conference in #Munich with renewed energy. Let me share with you a glimpse of the future Global Health Landscape as portrayed by two visionary world leaders: Winnie Byanyima (video below) and Helen Clark (speech below): "What I have come to appreciate is that almost no aspects of our lives, our countries’ lives, and global health are insulated from global politics, and that where our world cannot come together to face shared challenges, we are all the losers. It is of particular concern that the global peace and security architecture is in shreds and unable to contribute to ending a major land war in Europe, the war in Gaza and the repression across the occupied Palestinian Territories, and numerous other conflicts from Myanmar to the Horn of Africa, the Sahel, and beyond. In this polarised context, even the latest pandemic, COVID-19, could not be tackled effectively, with a huge gap developing between what was accessible to populations in high income countries versus low- and middle-income countries. This is not a new phenomenon. HIV/AIDS is the pandemic which has never gone away. It is already estimated to have taken more than 42 million lives, and it takes more every year. The therapeutic and preventive tools to end AIDS exist, but not only are they not accessible to all, but stigma, discrimination, criminalisation, and human rights abuses also play a key role in stopping the end of AIDS. This is intolerable. The movement to fight HIV/AIDS must build links with others who share a vision for a healthy, equitable, sustainable, and peaceful future. New approaches to financing must also be considered. The traditional model of vertical funds has been to seek funding from governments, mainly of high-income countries, and from philanthropy. That funding structure is then reflected in the governance. But as traditional donor finance comes under pressure, those old models won’t stand up long term. An alternative could be to apply a “beyond aid”, global public investment model to existing and new vertical funds which finance global common goods, like the fight against pandemics. That would see countries of all income levels pay in according to a formula, on the principle of “from each according to their means, to each according to their needs”. The governance of the funds would be inclusive. This kind of funding model could be the future of global solidarity. It is a bold and already well elaborated concept, which needs to be advanced by strong country champions. We need more focus on prevention – which will require not only more investment in public health, but also action on the social determinants which have driven the AIDS pandemic. We need universal health coverage. Above all, we must act with conviction that we can succeed, and that ending AIDS as a public health threat is not a pipe dream, but a realistic and achievable goal."

Last week I spoke to Botswana Television alongside Thabang Happyson Ditshupo about what the World AIDS Day theme of “Take the Rights path to end AIDS” means to us. In short, the failure to fully realize human rights for all is preventing the world from moving forward on the path to ending AIDS. To protect everyone’s health, we need to protect and uphold everyone’s rights. Fighting stigma and discrimination is a major battle that we can’t give up on if we want to realise health and well-being for all. Fighting stigma means we need policies that reflect inclusivity, accountability structures that ensure we implement them and behaviour change interventions that promote societal acceptance of these principles. #WorldAIDSDay #HumanRightsForAll Sentebale

>>This important conference is taking place in Kochi soon. It is a matter of pride that FWF started by two Malayalis and who are behind the great work done by the VENDA Project in 6 districts in Kerala has been recognised for the work it is doing, by hosting this important conference for the third time. I have attended two earlier editions of the conference in Kochi in 2016 and in Trivandrum a couple of years ago. >>The participation in this conference sees experts in then field of narcotics addiction prevention, awareness creation, and de-addiction programs gather in the city to share experiences, and best practices. While the conference is conducted with little hoopla and sessions are carried on with all seriousness, what is disappointing is that there is little support from the local state government, the business community, local community, and the media. This is a shame, as such an event should be treated as a high profile global event, that brings with it prestige and recognition of the state and city as places where serious discourse happens. While international experts from various countries and the UN organisations were present at the Trivandrum conference, the participation from the state government was disappointing, and noticed by many. >>I hope that more members of the business community will step forward to financially support the conference, which is carried out very professionally, and utilising well available resources. When such events are hosted in the city, we must understand that the prestige of the state and the city are involved, and it is important that FWF are enables to put on a good show. It is a testament ion the commitment of Diana Vincent and C C Joseph, the main moving spirits behind FWF and VENDA for not allowing anything to hamper them from putting on a good show. Souvik RoyShalini WarrierIndraneel Pandit, FRMDr. Tejaswini Mulay (She/Her)Dr Geemon KorahV K MathewsJohn MuthootAju JacobDavinder S.Elizabeth PuthranAjay George VargheseRashmi PoojaraNamitha PeterNirmala Padmanabhanvikram balagopalAnoop AmbikaSarada Muraleedharan Diana VincentRaja Shanmugam

Such a powerful message to world leaders and pharmaceutical companies like Gilead Sciences who have a “miracle” technology like #lenacapavir. The HIV response has seen much progress to let go of all the wins. A fully funded #HIV response is needed to improve access to HIV prevention and treatment services especially for hard-to-reach communities and communities affected humanitarian crises. #Health4All #Access4All

🖤💛♥️On National Sorry Day, we acknowledge the Stolen Generations and the role of systemic interventions in reproductive coercion and abuse. We commit to supporting First Nations healing and deep listening to truth-telling. 🖤💛♥️ #ReconciliationWeek #SorryDay #sorry2024 #FirstNationsHealing #reproductivejustice