As the world commemorates World AIDS Day, the tide is turning in the battle against HIV/AIDS, particularly in Africa.
With the majority of new infections now occurring outside the continent, a renewed focus on finding a cure is driving researchers forward.
Professor Thumbi Ndung’u, a renowned expert in HIV/AIDS and director of basic and translational science at the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) in KwaZulu-Natal, is at the forefront of this vital mission.
“We’ve made tremendous progress. There are very effective HIV prevention and treatment methods available,” said Ndung’u.
“However, nearly 40 million people worldwide are living with HIV, with the majority residing in Africa. This is not an easy situation to navigate. We need new solutions.”
Among the promising avenues being explored are an effective vaccine and a potential cure for HIV.
While antiretroviral (ARV) drugs have significantly impacted the fight against HIV by preventing transmissions and prolonging lives, they come with challenges.
Long-term use of ARVs is not only burdensome for individuals but also financially demanding. Furthermore, people living with HIV are often at a higher risk for related health complications, including metabolic disorders and cancer.
Since 2004, South Africa’s public healthcare system has provided ARV therapy free of charge, leading to a significant reduction in new infections – UNAIDS reports a remarkable 50% drop from 2010 to 2021.
There is also good news on a global scale, as new HIV infections have plummeted by 60% since their peak in 1995.
Despite this, Ndung’u notes that approximately 26 million of the nearly 40 million people with HIV worldwide are in Africa. This statistic underscores the vital need for novel methods to combat the virus.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set an ambitious target of ending the HIV/ AIDS pandemic by 2030, with a goal of reducing new infections and AIDS-related deaths by 90% from 2010 levels. However, achieving this goal will require relentless efforts in research and innovation.
Ndung’u and his team are committed to finding a cure for HIV as part of a broader strategy to eradicate AIDS. Despite decades of research, the journey toward a safe and effective vaccine has proven to be complex.
“A vaccine once seemed just around the corner,” he reflects, “but predicting its arrival is challenging. However, 30 years ago, many would have been sceptical about our ability to develop effective treatments.”
The quest for a cure remains elusive, with only seven known cases of individuals being cured of HIV, all following bone marrow transplants due to cancer treatments. Ndung’u’s current research involves a trial targeting young women in KwaZulu-Natal, an area significantly affected by the HIV epidemic.
Through this study, women are treated with ARVs shortly after acquiring the virus, preserving their immune functions.
“Our hope is this strategy will lead to long-term control of the virus without the need for ARVs and bring us closer to a potential cure,” Ndung’u explained.
Continued research on HIV/AIDS in Africa is essential. Ndung’u warns that while current infection rates may be declining, a return to instability is always a possibility. He emphasised that the majority of new infections currently occur among young women in Africa, contrasting with rising rates in Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe that predominantly affect men.
“We must keep researching, as it opens doors to new discoveries,” he asserted.
Weekend Argus