The global response is off course for ending AIDS-related mortality by 2030. Close to 1 in 3 people in sub-Saharan Africa initiating ART are still presenting with advanced HIV disease (AHD) . Further, the stagnation of progress following decades of gains in the HIV response due to COVID-19 and a two-fold increase in risk by PLHIV of dying from COVID-19 require urgent global action and focus now more than ever. The Unitaid-CHAI AHD Initiative under the Optimal project accelerates access to the WHO-recommended package of care for AHD in the focus countries of Botswana, India, Lesotho, Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and Uganda. Since beginning in 2019, the Initiative has been unlocking stubborn market barriers and generating momentum among donors and partners that is necessary for adoption, implementation, and global prioritization of these lifesaving AHD commodities – ensuring that appropriate treatment and care rapidly reach patients who need them the most and pathways are created for scalable and sustainable access. Drawing on data, insights, and experiences from ministries of health (MOH) and partners, the session will share implementation progress from focal countries, market updates across products, and civil society accountability initiatives. Stakeholders will then discuss the roadmap to sustainably reduce AHD mortality and future strategies.

• Presentations
• Session recording (English)