Efforts to eradicate HIV/AIDS by 2030 gained momentum as 120 delegates from six countries convened in Narok, Kenya, for a four-day International HIV Prevention and Treatment (IHPT) workshop. The workshop, running from January 13 to 17, brings together participants from the United States, the Philippines, Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya.
The event, spearheaded by the Walter Reed Project in collaboration with the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), aims to advance research and strategies to reduce the global burden of HIV. According to Dr. Fredrick Sawe, Director of the Walter Reed Project, approximately 40 million people globally live with HIV, with 30 million undergoing treatment.
Dr. Sawe emphasized the high cost of treating HIV, exceeding $50 million annually, and the need for a vaccine to ease the burden. “We’ve made significant strides since the early days when people succumbed to HIV due to lack of treatment. Today, we aim to understand how some individuals have lived healthy lives for over 40 years without antiretrovirals (ARVs),” he said.
The workshop also explores research on long-term survivors and vaccine development. Despite past challenges in achieving an effective HIV vaccine, Dr. Sawe expressed optimism about ongoing studies.
Narok Governor Patrick Ntutu, who opened the workshop, highlighted the county’s success in reducing HIV prevalence from 5.6% five years ago to the current 1.8%, well below the national average of 3.8%. He attributed this progress to integrating HIV programs within the broader healthcare system, strengthening the county’s response to the epidemic.
Dr. Patricia Agaba, Senior Technical Director at the Hemming Jackson Foundation, stressed the importance of sharing ideas to improve HIV services. “Collaboration among scientists, healthcare professionals, and community representatives is critical to driving innovation in HIV prevention and treatment,” she noted.
The workshop’s key focus includes refining prevention strategies, enhancing treatment options, and advancing global research. Stakeholders remain committed to the shared goal of eliminating HIV/AIDS by 2030.
