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A child or young person under the age of 20 was infected with HIV approximately every one minute and 40 seconds in 2019, UNICEF informed. The organization also added that around 3,20,000 children and adolescents were infected with HIV in 2019, of which 1,10,000 children died of AIDS in the same year, UNICEF said. Informing that large numbers of children have not had access to life-saving care, the UNICEF report said the condition of the HIV epidemic has further worsened as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Citing data from a joint United Nations HIV / AIDS program (UNAIDS), the UNICEF report showed the impact of several factors, including control measures, supply chain disruption, lack of protective equipment. individual and redistribution of health workers, on HIV health services.
Speaking on the impact of COVID-19 on HIV / AIDS-related healthcare facilities, UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore said: “Children are still being infected at alarming rates and are still dying of AIDS. This was even before the COVID-19 has disrupted vital HIV treatment and prevention services, putting countless other lives at risk. “
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“Devastations of the HIV Epidemic”
In 2019, less than half of HIV-infected children worldwide lacked access to life-saving care according to the UNICEF report. The report also suggested that the COVID-19 outbreak has worsened inequalities in access to life-saving HIV facilities and treatments, particularly for children, adolescents and pregnant mothers. The report also highlights serious concerns as around one-third of HIV-high countries around the world are expected to face treatment interruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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“Even as the world struggles in the midst of an ongoing global pandemic, hundreds of thousands of children continue to suffer the ravages of the HIV epidemic,” said Henrietta Fore, Executive Director of UNICEF.
According to UNAIDS data, HIV treatment and viral load testing in children decreased by 50 to 70 percent in some countries, while initiation of new treatment decreased by approximately 25 to 50 percent in the month in April and May which coincides with COVID -19 induced blocks. The data also suggests that health care facilities for pregnant women and maternal treatment were also reduced by 20 to 60% and initiation of maternal HIV testing and antiretroviral therapy (ART) decreased by 25-50% with a decrease of tests on newborns by about 10%.
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The easing of COVID-19 restrictions combined with the strategic targeting of pregnant women and children, HIV health services have seen a recovery in recent months. The challenges in providing HIV / AIDS healthcare facilities to people continue to remain, as UNICEF says the world is still far from reaching the 2020 global pediatric HIV goals. The UNICEF report also informs that, Although some progress has been made in the decade-long fight against HIV and AIDS, deep regional disparities persist in several areas, especially in terms of pediatric HIV services.
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(With input from ANI / Xinhua)
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