The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has revealed a sharp fall in condom distribution in Nigeria, stating that it declined by 55 per cent over the past year as the global HIV response experiences what the agency describes as its most significant setback in decades.
In its 2025 World AIDS Day report titled Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response, released on Tuesday, UNAIDS cautioned that HIV prevention, testing, and community-led initiatives are being disrupted across several regions, with multiple countries reporting reductions in new treatment enrolments.
UNAIDS highlighted that 450,000 women in sub-Saharan Africa have lost access to “mother mentors,” trusted community workers who serve as vital links to healthcare. It explained that sudden funding cuts and deteriorating human rights conditions are weakening prevention and treatment services in many countries.
The report also indicated that adolescent girls and young women were already disproportionately affected before the current disruptions, with 570 new HIV infections recorded daily among young women aged 15 to 24.
It further warned that weakened prevention programmes are increasing the vulnerability of young women, while community-led organisations — which it described as the backbone of HIV outreach — are also under pressure. According to UNAIDS, over 60 per cent of women-led organisations have been forced to halt key services.
ALSO READ: Niger: Students, staff kidnapped as terrorists invade Catholic school
The agency’s modelling shows that if prevention efforts are not restored, there could be an additional 3.3 million HIV infections between 2025 and 2030. International support has also dropped sharply, with OECD projections suggesting that external health funding could decline by 30 to 40 per cent in 2025 compared with 2023.
“The impact has been immediate and severe, especially in low- and middle-income countries highly affected by HIV.”
UNAIDS appealed to global leaders to renew their commitment to international cooperation and solidarity, including pledges made at the recent G20 Leaders’ Summit in South Africa.
It also called for consistent and increased HIV funding, particularly for countries dependent on external assistance, along with investment in innovations such as affordable long-acting prevention.
The agency emphasised that safeguarding human rights and strengthening community empowerment remain essential pillars of a successful HIV response.
(NAN)