This initiative aims to place an additional 1.1 million people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy by December 2025, thereby closing the treatment gap and ensuring better health outcomes.

The campaign aligns with the new SA National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB, and STIs for 2023-2028, as well as UNAIDS's 95-95-95 targets to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

Anne Githuku Shongwe, one of the speakers at the campaign launch on Tuesday, highlighted the collective commitment of UNAIDS and its 11 UN host sponsor agencies, including the World Health Organisation, UN Children's Fund, UN Population Fund, UN Development Programme, International Labour Organisation, and UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.

"As we move together hand in hand in finding the next 1.1 million, let us commit to you that for us at UNAIDS, and when I say UNAIDS, UNAIDS includes the 11 UN host sponsor agencies. I stand here representing every one of the UN agencies who are part of UNAIDS. We are determined to stand with you with the little that we have, but with the big hearts and big support and partnerships that we have to ensure that we will continue to help you in normative guidance, in scaling prep, in ensuring that the sustainability roadmaps are adjusted accordingly, in resource mobilisation, in supporting communities, and in working on prevention," Shongwe said.

--SABC/ChannelAfrica--