SADC and UNAIDS Strengthen Commitment to HIV/AIDS Response Amid Funding Challenges
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) and UNAIDS have reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS, despite growing funding constraints.
This commitment was made during a high-level meeting at the SADC Secretariat in Gaborone, Botswana, on April 2, 2025, between SADC Executive Secretary, H.E. Elias M. Magosi, and UNAIDS Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, H.E. Anne Githuku-Shongwe.
The two leaders acknowledged the progress made in reducing new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths across the SADC region but emphasized that HIV/AIDS remains a major public health challenge, particularly among young people. They stressed the urgent need for increased domestic investment in health and HIV/AIDS programs, citing a decline in international donor funding.
SADC and UNAIDS called for stronger partnerships with the private sector to boost resource mobilization and ensure the sustainability of vital health initiatives. H.E. Magosi expressed gratitude to UNAIDS for its support in developing the Annual SADC HIV Progress Report and the HIV Strategic Framework, which provide guidance on implementing HIV/AIDS programs across Member States.
He also commended UNAIDS for its role in convening National Health Financing Dialogues, which help countries define health financing priorities and strategies.
“The reduction in funding for HIV/AIDS programs in our region, which bears the highest burden of HIV, threatens to reverse the gains we have made,” H.E. Magosi warned, urging Member States to renew their financial commitment to health initiatives.
H.E. Githuku-Shongwe reaffirmed UNAIDS’ dedication to supporting HIV prevention efforts and enhancing domestic financing strategies for long-term sustainability. She highlighted the critical role of community health systems, including drop-in centers and community health clinics, in the HIV/AIDS response.
To address financing constraints, SADC and UNAIDS are set to convene a Joint Meeting of Ministers of Health and Ministers of Finance to discuss innovative funding mechanisms for health programs.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from SADC and UNAIDS, including Ms. Duduzile Simelane (SADC Director of Social and Human Development), Ms. Nomenzile Mamba (SADC Programme Officer for HIV/AIDS), Mr. Alankar Malviya (UNAIDS Country Director for Botswana), and Ms. Gloria Bille (UNAIDS Senior Regional Programme Adviser – Prevention).
