Geneva, November 26 (IANS). The Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) made shocking revelations in its recent report. UNAIDS has warned in its new report that the global approach to combating HIV has suffered the biggest setback in decades. This report calls for reliance on solidarity, courage, investment and innovation to achieve the goal of ending the AIDS epidemic. The report is titled “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response”. In addition to the lack of international funding for HIV prevention efforts, the report also highlighted the serious consequences of a lack of global solidarity. The report said that a sudden cut in international HIV support in 2025 would further widen the existing funding gap. In this, an estimate from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development was quoted. According to this, external health aid is expected to decrease by 30-40 percent in 2025 compared to 2023. If this happens, it will cause immediate and rapid disruption in health care delivery in low- and middle-income countries. According to the report, HIV prevention services were the most affected. Major cuts in the supply of HIV prevention drugs and a sharp decline in voluntary medical male circumcision have widened the protection gap for millions of people. The programs carried out to prevent the spread of HIV infection among young women have also been significantly affected. According to Xinhua News Agency, the report warned that in the next Global AIDS Strategy a target was set to stop it by 2030. However, failure to meet this target could lead to 3.3 million new HIV infections between 2025 and 2030. According to UNAIDS, 40.8 million people worldwide are infected with HIV. There are 1.3 million new cases in 2024 and 9.2 million people are still not receiving treatment. Ahead of World AIDS Day on December 1, UNAIDS called on world leaders to show solidarity and fulfill their pledge to work together to end AIDS. UNAIDS also called for maintaining funding for the HIV response, investing in innovation, upholding human rights and strengthening communities. Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS, said: “It is time for us to choose. We can allow these setbacks to undo decades of hard work, or we can unite behind a common vision to end AIDS. The lives of millions of people depend on the choices we make today.” –IANS KK/DSC Share this story Tags