COVID-19: Learning from the HIV/AIDS pandemic response in Africa.

Content Provider	Europe PMC
Author	Olufadewa, Isaac Oduguwa, Ifeoluwa Adesina, Miracle Ibiang, Koton Eke, Nnenne Adewumi, Blessing Ebong, Inimfon Abudu, Funmilayo Adeyelu, Nancy
Abstract	AbstractAbout 74.9 million persons were infected during the human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome HIV/AIDS global pandemic with nearly half of them succumbing to the disease. In 2018 alone, Africa recorded over 400,000 AIDS‐related deaths which is more than half of the global total. This reflects years of inequality in the global pandemic response. Also, the international response to AIDS in the early years was very slow, with a global programme only developed 6 years into the pandemic. Many African countries still lack pandemic preparedness plans to handle a global pandemic. Thus, this paper highlights the important lessons that can be learnt from the response to the AIDS pandemic and recommends how they can be applied during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. Some of the important lessons include: HIV reversed the previous success recorded in health systems of developing countries; the antiretroviral drug development process was prolonged and required long term commitment; and primary healthcare was crucial in preventing and controlling the disease. These lessons can be utilised in the fight against COVID‐19 pandemic. It is recommended that: there should be solidarity among the nations of the world to fight COVID‐19; health authorities should be proactive in curbing misinformation; and interventions should prioritise human rights and focus on vulnerable communities. HIV treatment services should not be discontinued as it is still an ongoing pandemic. A balance needs to be achieved in combating both pandemics as discontinuation of HIV treatment during the coronavirus pandemic could result in more than 500,000 deaths.
Related Links	https://europepmc.org/backend/ptpmcrender.fcgi?accid=PMC8013592&blobtype=pdf
Page Count	8
ISSN	07496753
Journal	The International Journal of Health Planning and Management [Int J Health Plann Manage]
Volume Number	36
DOI	10.1002/hpm.3133
PubMed Central reference number	PMC8013592
Issue Number	3
PubMed reference number	33625783
e-ISSN	10991751
Language	English
Publisher	John Wiley and Sons Inc.
Publisher Date	2021-02-24
Publisher Place	Hoboken
Access Restriction	Open
Rights License	This article is being made freely available through PubMed Central as part of the COVID-19 public health emergency response. It can be used for unrestricted research re-use and analysis in any form or by any means with acknowledgement of the original source, for the duration of the public health emergency. © 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Subject Keyword	Africa COVID‐19 HIV/AIDS pandemic
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Health Policy