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In 2000, Africa was frightened to the core by acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).1 This crisis stood the chance of dividing us, but it did not. As the African Union (AU) reflects on where we have come from, we are encouraged by the exceptional leadership role played by the pan-African organisation. The African-led statutory body has over the years united African leaders to leverage on the power of constructive policies and accountability as efficacious tools to fight AIDS in the continent.
OpenJournal PUBLISHERS Opinion The Catalytic Framework: Africa’s Weapon to End Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome by 2030 1,2* Benjamin Djoudalbaye, MD, MSc, MPH, Pg. Dipl. Infectious Diseases1,2* 1Acting Head, Division of AIDS,TB, Malaria and Other Infectious Diseases, African Union Commission, P. O. Box 3243,W22 K19, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2Head of Policy and Health Diplomacy at Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; P.O Box 3243,W22 K19, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia * *Corresponding author Benjamin Djoudalbaye, MD, MSc, MPH, Pg. Dipl. Infectious Diseases Acting Head, Division of AIDS,TB, Malaria and Other Infectious Diseases, African Union Commission, P. O. Box 3243,W22 K19, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Phone. +251 115182207; E-mail: BenjaminD@africa-union.org Article information th nd nd th Received: January 24 , 2020; Revised: April 22 , 2020; Accepted: April 22 , 2020; Published: April 27 , 2020 Cite this article Djoudalbaye B.The catalytic framework: Africa’s weapon to end acquired immune deficiency syndrome by 2030. HIV/AIDS Res Treat Open J. 2020; 7(1): 1-2. doi: 10.17140/HARTOJ-7-131 n 2000, Africa was frightened to the core by acquired immune cited is South Africa who contributed US $2 billion between 2006 deficiency syndrome (AIDS).1 This crisis stood the chance of and 2011 per year of domestic funding towards AIDS response I dividing us, but it did not. As the African Union (AU) reflects on — the second largest national investment in the world. A second where we have come from, we are encouraged by the exceptional example included is the development of the Pharmaceutical Man- leadership role played by the pan-African organisation. The Afri- ufacturing Plan for Africa Business Plan (PMPA) to increase phar- can-led statutory body has over the years united African leaders to maceutical capacity. Consequently, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, leverage on the power of constructive policies and accountability and Zimbabwe now produce World Health Organization (WHO) as efficacious tools to fight AIDS in the continent. The AU is parti- pre-qualified anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs). A final example included cularly well-pleased by the catalytic framework to end AIDS, tuber- is the integration of ministries and HIV/AIDS-related programs culosis (TB) and eliminate malaria in Africa by 20302 endorsed by into the Ministry of Health to enhance integrated multisectoral Heads of States and Government of AU Member States in 2016. approaches in Rwanda, Burundi and Côte d’I voire. However, the review also unraveled that despite the progress, there was need for The catalytic framework3 is the greatest gift to Africa af- improved strategic approaches to fighting HIV/AIDS.5 ter the 2001 Abuja Declaration on human immunodeficiency vi- rus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/ The overarching strategic approach of the catalytic frame- AIDS), TB and other related infectious diseases in which AIDS work is an amalgamation of the targets in the AU agenda 2063 was declareda state of emergency in the continent. The distinctive- and agenda 2030. Therefore, it not only ensures continuity of con- ness of the framework emanates from the fact that it was formu- tinental efforts but fuses with global aspirations. This is strength- lated off the progress and experiences which culminated from im- ened by the exceptional strategic investmentare as of the frame- plementation of Abuja commitments since 2000 and the AU road work. The areas are: leadership, country ownership, governance map for shared responsibility and global solidarity for AIDS, TB and accountability; universal and equitable access to prevention, and malaria response4 in Africa by AU member states. It therefore diagnosis, treatment, care and support; access to affordable and seeks to ensure that the commendable progress attained since 2001 quality assured medicines, commodities and technologies; health — when the fight against AIDS was placed as the highest priority financing; community participation and involvement; research and issue in respective national development plans — is intensified. development & innovation; promotion of human rights and gen- der equality; multi-sectoral collaboration and coordination; and A review of the “Abuja Call for Accelerated Action Towards strategic information. These, if reinforced with dedication and Universal Access To HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria Services” and “The integrity, are an assured path to realization of the end of AIDS by AU Roadmap On Shared Responsibility And Global Solidarity For HIV/ 2030.
AIDS, TB And Malaria” in 2015, highlights significant examples of progress attained in strengthening: financing models; leadership This article comes at a time when the African Union and governance; and access to medicine. A commendable example Commission (AUC) is gearing up for mid-term review of the cata- cc Copyright 2020 by Djoudalbaye B. This is an open-access article distributed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), HIV/AIDS Res Treat Open J. 2020; 7(1): 1-2. doi: 10.17140/HARTOJ-7-131 lytic framework. The review will be undertaken through primary achieve certain intermediary targets by 2020. We will check our- data collection using a questionnaire. The objective of the exercise selves against the targets we set within the past decade as a con- is to collect information on the progress of implementation of tinent, starting with those on the Catalytic Framework and ALM the Framework by AU member states. It will also provide insight declaration. On the other hand, we only have ten years left to the on the successes and challenges being faced during implementa- grand finale of 2030. We have to devise means of fighting harder tion of the activities in framework. The end goal is to ensure that and smarter against the injustice of stigma and discrimination, the framework is a reliable policy instrument which is effective in HIV related deaths and new HIV infections.
guiding countries towards positive outcomes in response to AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
Heart-breaking stories about the challenges of ending AIDS as a public health threat still reign in many parts of Africa. AIDS-specific goals of the catalytic framework are to- Nevertheless, we must remain in sight of how far we have come reduce number of AIDS-related deaths and new HIV infections and how further we can go. Everyone accessing treatment is a suc- compared with 2015 whilst wiping out discrimination. The stipu- cess story of how they are going to have the same life expectancy lated strategies to achieve the goals are to: increase coverage of as someone who does not have HIV, the same opportunity to con- antiretroviral treatment to achieve 90-90-90; Eliminate new HIV tribute to their communities and the same opportunity to watch infection in children and keep mothers alive; increase access to their children grow up in an AIDS free-generation. We did this combination prevention services including HIV and SRH services together and together we can end AIDS.
to young people, men and women, and key populations; Address HIV and human rights, gender inequality, and offer HIV sensitive