By Piason Maringwa
Like many other epidemics and pandemics HIV/AIDS came on the scene with a very loud and big bang. The unpacking of HIV/AIDs to the general public caused much panic, fear and confusion leading to stigma and discrimination which though now much lower than before still exists.
The good news though is that a lot of good work in HIV intervention work has been done but there are still challenges that need to be overcome. I have always maintained that knowing that one is not alone in any tragic situation is very comforting and has a life saving effect. I being someone who has lived with HIV for over three decades can testify how the World AIDS Day commemorations have benefited me over the years.
World AIDS Day commemorations have brought a lot of hope to many of us living with HIV as we mingle, discuss and share experiences about our situation giving each other hope and telling one another how to move on with our lives as people living with HIV.
I have attended a few World AIDS Day commemorations since its commencement due to financial constraints but I can say with much honesty and certainty that I have gained a lot from my visits at those few. In the past a lot of people testing HIV+ adopted the victim mentality with some even expecting to be given handouts and other forms of assistance as if they were disabled people but after mixing and hearing what others were doing the victim syndrome died and a lot of people living with are now very productive.
The globalization of AIDS issues through World AIDS Day commemorations has also helped in bridging the knowledge gap among countries as the battle against HIV/AIDS has now been intensified via global initiatives such as USAID, PEPFAR among others .The funding of HIV/AIDS programmes at a global level had almost brought the war against HIV/AIDS to an end. The sprouting up of organizations to fight and their activities at World AIDS Day commemorations brought new hope to all those living with HIV. The world has been on a path that was meant to end HIV/AIDs by 2030 through global efforts and funding
Challenges affecting the Global response include the USAID funding withdrawal early this year by USA president Donald Trump. This was a major blow which if no corrective measures are taken quickly will take us back to that era where people were dying of AIDS in large numbers. Governments should either persuade USAID and USA president to resume funding of HIV mitigation programs or find permanent local funding mechanism. In June 2024 I attended a NAC organized two day media workshop and the funding issue was discussed at length with very good suggestions being made but I think it was just a talk show yielding no tangible results.
The USAID funding withdrawal should be an eye opener and a call to action for third world countries never to rely fully on funds from other countries to avoid mitigation disruptions. A permanent source of local funding should always be available to chip in when donors withdraw funding.
This year’s World AIDS Day commemorations should be used to inform people living with HIV the reality on the ground in view of the current situation giving us assurance that everything is under control. It should also be a wake up call against complacency that HIV is no longer a threat so that new infections are reduced. Information is very important and should continue to cascade to all social levels. This is going to be a special day for us where we say “Nothing for us without us ” Everything to do with people living with HIV should never be done without their involvement.
World AIDS Day commemorations are the ground at which most people living with HIV/AIDS feel recognized and it is also the platform at which we speak for ourselves so everyone HIV should strive to attend. I am trying to save funds right now for the trip to Mzingwane High School in Matabeleland South come December 1.
Piason Maringwa
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