Accra, Dec. 8, – The Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA) has commemorated its 35th anniversary with a renewed call for African countries to take full ownership of the continent’s HIV response through strengthened health sovereignty and reduced dependence on external support.
The anniversary event, held on the sidelines of the ongoing International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA 2025) in Accra, brought together pioneers and leaders of the continent’s HIV response.
Mr Luc Armand Bodea, Director of ICASA, said the continent’s long-term success in controlling HIV depended on Africa becoming fully autonomous in its health systems, pharmaceutical production, and financing.
“Health sovereignty in Africa means we must no longer rely on external funding,” he said. “We should be able to manufacture our own antiretroviral drugs, our own vaccines, and build sovereignty in our pharmaceutical companies, drug production, and policies.”
Celebrated on the theme “35 Years of Advocacy, Science and African Leadership in the HIV Response,” the event reunited distinguished founding members of SAA, including Dr Peter Piot, Dr Mpele and Professor Mboup, who travelled from various parts of the world to reflect on the continent’s progress since the society’s establishment in 1989.
A panel discussion revisited the organisation’s early years, when HIV-related stigma was pervasive, access to treatment was scarce, and AIDS-related deaths were high. Speakers highlighted scientific advancements, improved access to antiretroviral therapy and progress in ending discrimination against people living with HIV.
Mr Bodea stressed that coordinated action among African governments would be essential to ending the epidemic. He urged leaders to build synergies rather than work in isolation, particularly regarding the local production of HIV prevention commodities.
He also called for accelerated manufacturing of Lenacapavir-based products—a long-acting HIV prevention and treatment option already approved in South Africa—within Africa.
“It is time for Africa to manufacture the generic version here,” he said. “With the President of Ghana championing this agenda, other heads of state will follow, and this will become a reality in the coming years.”
One of SAA’s founding fathers, Professor Souleymane Mboup, urged African governments to recommit to the Abuja Declaration, which requires countries to allocate 15 per cent of their national budgets to health.
“Twenty-four years after the declaration, only a few African countries have met this target. Governments must step up if we are to achieve sovereignty,” he said.
Over the past 35 years, SAA has played a central role in shaping HIV research, policy, and advocacy across Africa, contributing significantly to improved treatment access, prevention, and care.
As part of the anniversary celebration, SAA honoured 16 long-serving members, including Ghanaians, who have contributed more than two decades of service to the organisation and to the continent’s HIV response.
The 23rd International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA 2025), organised by SAA, runs from December 3–8 under the theme: “Africa in Action: Catalysing Integrated and Resilient Health Systems for Sustainable Responses to end HIV, Other Infectious Diseases, and Emerging Threats.”
The five-day conference has brought together about 3,000 delegates, including global experts, policymakers, researchers, civil society advocates, and partners from 85 African countries.
No comments:
Post a Comment