According to the Africa Health Research Institute, 300 000 people died of AIDS in Africa alone in 2023.

HIV/AIDS activists emphasise that the accessibility of HIV treatment does not equate to complacency about the pandemic. They argue that more needs to be done to ensure that people are aware of the importance of regular testing and treatment.

Tshepang Maboe, a Lesotho national living with HIV/AIDS, shared his personal experience: "Suspicions are that I got it from birth because my grandma always wanted me to go and get tested, but I just didn't understand why she wanted me to go and get tested. I believe that we all know that we all come from communities or societies where HIV is labelled with infidelity, so I was just young at that time and I just didn't understand why I had to go for an HIV test."

The ongoing challenges in accessing antiretroviral medication and the need for sustained awareness campaigns are critical in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Activists call for increased efforts to ensure that everyone has access to the necessary treatment and information to combat the pandemic effectively.

--ChannelAfrica--