CNS: 2024

Youth-led initiatives spark hope for children and adolescents living with HIV

"As a young person living with HIV, I had self-stigmatised myself due to the fear of discrimination… fear of discrimination if I dare disclose my HIV positive status to others… this fear had stopped me from living like a normal person,” said a youth living with HIV who is interning with Human Touch Foundation in Goa, India.

Not just richer nations like New Zealand are meeting some of the 2025 HIV-related targets but also low- and middle-income countries like Nepal, Cambodia and Thailand in Asia and the Pacific region.

Call to leave #NoOneBehind: 100-100-100 to end TB and end AIDS before 2030

Over 1500 people from 73 countries are unequivocally demanding that all people with HIV or TB must have access to full cascade of standard health services and social support in people-centred, rights-based and gender transformative ways. Unless best of WHO recommended prevention, diagnostics, treatment, care and support reaches everyone in need globally, we cannot end TB or AIDS.

The latest 2024 data from United Nations joint programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) show that highest number of people who got newly infected with HIV in Asia and the Pacific region in 2023, were linked to those who do not know that they were HIV positive, followed by those who were diagnosed but not able to access treatment, or not virally suppressed. Governments have failed to ensure that every person living with HIV receives lifesaving antiretroviral therapy and remains virally suppressed. If a person is virally suppressed, then there is no risk of any HIV transmission linked to this person, as per the World Health Organization (WHO).

"We do not have an HIV vaccine or cure yet, but we have the next best thing: a prevention medication that is 100% effective!" said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of United Nations joint programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). She appealed to Big Pharma to "share it with UN-backed Medicines Patent Pool and allow generic licenses in low- and middle-income countries."

We have the science-based tools to prevent, diagnose, treat and manage all four infections: HIV, hepatitis, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and TB. Despite this, TB has been the biggest infectious disease killer in the world till COVID-19 had hit us (but more people died of TB in high-burden countries than those who died of COVID). Now, another preventable infection, hepatitis, has emerged to kill as many people as those who died from TB in 2022 (around 1.3 million). 630,000 people died due to AIDS in 2022.

"Stigma can be so insidious. It cuts deep and affects all of us," said Shaun Mellors, Director, Community Stakeholder Engagement, ViiV Healthcare who was speaking on Zero HIV Stigma Day during the opening plenary of LIVING2024. “Every day should be Zero HIV Stigma day,” rightly said Shaun.

The fight against AIDS in Asia and the Pacific region is not only severely under-resourced but also struggling to focus on key populations. Key populations are not only more at risk of HIV acquisition but also have proven to be gamechangers when genuinely engaged in the HIV programmes at all levels.

No one needs to die of AIDS because, thanks to science, lifesaving antiretroviral therapy and viral suppression can gift all people living with HIV a healthy and fulfilling life. But, unfortunately, many a slip between the cup and the lip. "Even one AIDS death is a death too many. Despite having the tools and scientific know-how to avert AIDS deaths, 630,000 people died of AIDS in 2022. Governments, donors, pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing companies, HIV and health advocates and activists, and all other stakeholders could have done better if we were to avert AIDS-related deaths," said firebrand health and human rights activist Loon Gangte who leads Delhi Network of People living with HIV (DNP Plus) and International Treatment Preparedness Coalition (ITPC) in South Asian region.

"Put people first is a reminder that the people we serve is at the very heart of our work” said Professor Sharon Lewin, International Co-Chairperson of world’s largest AIDS conference this year (25th International AIDS Conference or AIDS 2024). But when we look at the global HIV response, those people who are most at risk of the virus, are seldom receiving HIV and other health services with right, human dignity and without any stigma, discrimination or criminalisation.

Scientific research and development has thankfully increased the number of prevention options we have today to stop the spread of several infections including HIV and TB. But are they actual choices for the people-at-risk of getting infected?

What can be a better explanation of what #PutPeopleFirst means than what was explained so candidly by Mahatma Gandhi. He had said: "I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test- Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man [or woman or any gender] whom you may have seen, and ask yourself if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him [or her or them]. Will he [or she or they] gain anything by it? Will it restore him [or her or them] to a control over his [or her or their] own life and destiny? Then you will find your doubts melt away."

Goa to Munich: Growing call for 100-100-100 to end TB and end AIDS before 2030

This podcast features Sumit Mitra, President (International Sales), Molbio Diagnostics. He is speaking in lead up to 25th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2024) on what #PutPeopleFirst means to him.

Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, YouTube Podcasts, TuneIn, Podtail, BluBrry, Himalaya, ListenNotes, American Podcasts, CastBox FM, Ivy FM, Player FM, iVoox, and other podcast streaming platforms.

This podcast features Dr Kuldeep Singh Sachdeva, former head of Indian government's TB and HIV programmes (DDG), former South-East Asia Regional Director of International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) and currently serving as President-CMO of Molbio Diagnostics. He is speaking in lead up to 25th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2024) on what #PutPeopleFirst means to him.

Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, YouTube Podcasts, TuneIn, Podtail, BluBrry, Himalaya, ListenNotes, American Podcasts, CastBox FM, Ivy FM, Player FM, iVoox, and other podcast streaming platforms.

This podcast features Dr Kamal Kishore Chopra who is a senior TB expert and former Director of New Delhi TB Centre, State Training and Demonstration Centre, and also part of the leadership of TB Association of India. He is speaking in lead up to 25th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2024) on what #PutPeopleFirst means to him.

Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, YouTube Podcasts, TuneIn, Podtail, BluBrry, Himalaya, ListenNotes, American Podcasts, CastBox FM, Ivy FM, Player FM, iVoox, and other podcast streaming platforms.

Will #PutPeopleFirst mantra drive HIV responses?

Science has gifted us proven tools to stop the spread of HIV infection, as well as to ensure that all people living with HIV live healthy and fulfilling lives. But we failed to save 630,000 people with HIV who died in 2022.

[video] What needs to change to keep the promise of ending TB and AIDS by 2030?

[video] What is new and next in HIV prevention?

[video] HIV and TB best practices in paradise (Philippines)

[video] AMR Dialogues | Mashood Lawal, Member of WHO Task Force of AMR Survivors

[video] Finding all people with TB especially those more at risk and linking them to care is key to end TB

(part-2) #AIDS2024 Affiliated Independent Event: Find all people with TB and HIV, treat all, save lives and stop the spread of both

(part-1) #AIDS2024 Affiliated Independent Event: Find all people with TB and HIV, treat all, save lives and stop the spread of both

[video] Lessons from providing HIV services to children and migrant workers in Gujarat

Call for 100-100-100 to end TB and end AIDS by 2030 or earlier

This call for 100-100-100 to end TB and end AIDS by 2030 or earlier was given at the AIDS 2024 Affiliated Independent Event organised on 4th of July 2024.

Retention in HIV care has declined since 'Treat All' guidelines introduced

Introduction of guidelines did not result in any improvement in annual viral load monitoring and suppression among people retained in care

Shobha Shukla, Bobby Ramakant

published in aidsmap (UK)

This podcast features Dr Ishwar Gilada who had established India's first AIDS clinic in 1986 when first HIV case had got diagnosed in the country.

Dr Gilada is the longest serving HIV medical expert in India, President-Emeritus of AIDS Society of India, part of Governing Council of IAS (International AIDS Society) and 25th International AIDS Conference organising committee. He is in conversation with CNS Founder and Managing Editor Shobha Shukla.

Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, YouTube Podcasts, TuneIn, Podtail, BluBrry, Himalaya, ListenNotes, American Podcasts, CastBox FM, Ivy FM, Player FM, iVoox, and other podcast streaming platforms.

[video] Are perspectives of people living with HIV central to AIDS response?

[podcast] Perspectives of people living with HIV must be central to AIDS response

This podcast features UNAIDS India Country Director David Bridger who shares what #PutPeopleFirst means to him in lead up to 25th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2024) to be held in Munich, Germany. He is in conversation with Shobha Shukla, CNS founder Managing Editor and Executive Director and Chairperson of Global AMR Media Alliance (GAMA).

Drug-resistant disease-causing microbes can infect any one of us. Bhakti Chavan, a promising biotechnologist, who never had TB before, got infected with extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) bacteria. XDR-TB is one of the most serious forms of TB. After some delay, an accurate XDR-TB diagnosis helped her access the right treatment, thanks to an MSF clinic. With steely resolve and grit, she went through the difficult treatment of XDR-TB and got cured. Not only has she defeated XDR-TB, but she also champions the cause of helping those who are fighting TB as well as drug resistance or antimicrobial resistance worldwide.

AIDS 2024 Affiliated Independent Event (4th July): Find all people with TB & HIV, treat all of them, save lives & stop the spread of both

Watch part-1, part-2

On 4th July, this AIDS 2024 Affiliated Independent Event is on the theme: "Find all people with TB and HIV, treat all of them and prevent any further transmission of both in people-centred ways."

Another feather in the cap of treatment as HIV prevention

- A Groundbreaking HIV Prevention Option -

Results of a phase 3 PURPOSE 1 HIV prevention study done among adolescent girls and young women in South Africa and Uganda show that there were no HIV infections in HIV-negative women who received 6 monthly (twice yearly) injectable investigational drug Lenacapavir - an injectable form of PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) drug developed by Gilead Sciences. In other words, an HIV negative woman will need just two injections a year of this long acting drug to remain safe from acquiring HIV through the sexual route.

This podcast features Dr Sangeeta Sharma, Professor and Head, Department of Neuropsychopharmacology, Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences, Delhi, India. She is also the President of Delhi Society for Promotion of Rational Use of Drugs. Dr Sangeeta Sharma is in conversation with CNS founder and Managing Editor Shobha Shukla (who Chairs Global AMR Media Alliance - GAMA).

Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, YouTube Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, Podtail, BluBrry, Himalaya, ListenNotes, American Podcasts, CastBox FM, Ivy FM, Player FM, iVoox, and other podcast streaming platforms.

This podcast features Bhakti Chavan who is a part of World Health Organization (WHO) Task Force of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Survivors. She is in conversation with CNS founder and Managing Editor Shobha Shukla. Shobha is the Chairperson of Global AMR Media Alliance (GAMA).

Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, YouTube Podcasts, TuneIn, Podtail, BluBrry, Himalaya, ListenNotes, American Podcasts, CastBox FM, Ivy FM, Player FM, iVoox, and other podcast streaming platforms.

[podcast] Decentralise people-centred services to find all, treat all and prevent all TB among people living with HIV

This podcast features Dr Rajesh Kumar Sood, District Programme Officer, National Health Mission, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India. He shares what #PutPeopleFirst means to him in the lead up to the 25th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2024).

Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, Podtail, BluBrry, Himalaya, ListenNotes, American Podcasts, CastBox FM, Ivy FM, Player FM, iVoox, and other podcast streaming platforms.

[video] Decentralise people-centred services to #findAllTB, treat all and prevent all TB

[video] When XDR-TB (extensively drug-resistant TB) bacteria infects a person who never ever had TB before

Are we on track to end AIDS, end viral hepatitis and end STIs by 2030?

[watch the video or listen to podcast] Well, it seems to be a mixed bag of gains and losses. While there are reasons to celebrate, significant gaps remain to be plugged. The latest Global Health Sector Strategies Report of the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that while there has been a substantial increase in expanding service access for HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), 2.5 million people are still dying every year due to these three infections. Thus, these illnesses continue to pose a major global health challenge.

After suffering debilitating TB symptoms for over a year, a homeless person got lifesaving help from a community health worker. Thanks to her, he was eventually diagnosed with TB of the lungs and put on treatment, quit alcohol, and survived one of the worst Delhi floods during his treatment, and got cured.

Right diagnostic test and right treatment at the right time can prevent antimicrobial resistance

New guidelines were launched in India's capital Delhi to help healthcare personnel rightly diagnose and treat people in a timely manner. Failure to do so is fuelling antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Early and accurate diagnosis and treatment (without any delay), with medicines that work on a person, along with standard infection control and disease prevention efforts, remain a cornerstone for public health. And yet this is a distant dream for many in need.

This podcast features insights from a range of experts who spoke in End Malaria Dialogues held around the 77th World Health Assembly of World Health Organization (WHO). Experts include: Dr Michael Adekunle Charles, CEO RBM Partnership to End Malaria; Dr Marijke Wijnroks, Head of Strategic Investment and Impact Division, The Global Fund; Sriram Natarajan, co-founder and CEO Molbio Diagnostics; Prof Maxine Whittaker, Community Representative at the Global Fund Regional Artemisinin Resistance Initiative; and CSO Platform advisor; Aloyce Urassa, Chairperson African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) Youth Advisory Council; Louis Da Gama, board member, Communities Delegation Unitaid and CSO Platform advisor; and Shobha Shukla, founder Managing Editor and Executive Director, CNS (moderator).

Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, Podtail, BluBrry, Himalaya, ListenNotes, American Podcasts, CastBox FM, Ivy FM, Player FM, iVoox, and other podcast streaming platforms.

[video] What does #PutPeopleFirst means to #Zambia's pharmacist Sylvester Daka?

Protect the medicines that protect us

Protect the medicines that protect us and ensure that all those who need them can access them... So said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director General of The World Health Organization (WHO), at the Strategic Roundtable on "Charting a new path forward for global action against antimicrobial resistance (AMR)" held recently during the 77th World Health Assembly (decision-making body of the WHO which is attended by all countries part of the UN health agency WHO).

There is plenty of scientific evidence to show that tobacco kills one out of every two of its users (as per the WHO). Tobacco use devastates lives and fractures families killing over 8 million people every year – year after year. While governments are enforcing stronger evidence-based tobacco control measures, the tobacco industry is conniving to lure children and young people into addiction traps and reap bigger profits by selling its deadly products.

Candy flavoured traps to hook the next generation

[हिन्दी] Young people are using e-cigarettes at rates higher than adults in many countries, as the tobacco industry is specifically targeting youth, says the World Health Organization (WHO). "History is repeating, as the tobacco industry tries to sell the same nicotine to our children in different packaging. These industries are actively targeting schools, children and young people with new products that are essentially a candy-flavoured trap. How can they talk about 'harm reduction' when they are marketing these dangerous, highly addictive products to children?," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO.

[video] To #endMalaria we must ensure communities are in centre of malaria response

End Malaria Dialogues: With 78 months left to #endMalaria by 2030, are we on track?

click here to watch the recording

Governments worldwide had committed to end malaria by 2030 as part of the promises enshrined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Malaria not only directly endanger health, it also perpetuates a cycle of inequity.

[podcast] WHO Director for HIV, Hepatitis and STIs Dr Meg Doherty in conversation with CNS

In lead up to the International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2024) in Munich, Germany, listen to this podcast featuring Dr Meg Doherty, World Health Organization (WHO) Director of Global HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programmes. She is in conversation with Shobha Shukla, CNS founder, Managing Editor and Executive Director.

Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, Podtail, BluBrry, Himalaya, ListenNotes, American Podcasts, CastBox FM, Ivy FM, Player FM, iVoox, and other podcast streaming platforms.

Youth uprising against antimicrobial resistance which is a threatening candidate for the next global health emergency

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is already among the top 10 global health threats. "If AMR is going to impact our present and future, then we, the young people, should be most concerned. We have to combat AMR, prevent AMR, and engage youth," said Mayowa Sodiq Akinpelu, Chair of African Youth Antimicrobial Resistance Alliance Task Force. Mayowa was speaking at the launch of a Youth Manifesto for the United Nations General Assembly High-level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance (UNHLM on AMR) on 26th September 2024.

[video] Day-2 | United against TB – Accelerated action towards ending TB

[video] Day-1 | United Against TB – Accelerated action for ending TB

[video] Taking TB diagnostics closer to the people who are more at risk

[video] SMaRT-PCR researchers share insights on a possible modified mask and RT-PCR based method to find TB in children

[video] Solar-powered molecular test Truenat increases TB finding in most-at-risk people in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

The deadly intersection: TB and tobacco smoking co-epidemics in Indonesia

In the lead up to World No Tobacco Day later this month, it is high time we recognise and effectively address the deadly synergy between the two epidemics: tobacco use and tuberculosis (TB). Tobacco is the single-largest preventable cause of death worldwide and TB continues to be the deadliest of infectious diseases in high burden countries (even despite the COVID-19 pandemic).

Stigma has a profound impact on the mental and physical health of Indian women with HIV

Providers should avoid the label of mental illness as it may compound intersectional stigma

Shobha Shukla, Bobby Ramakant

published in aidsmap | 2 May 2024

[हिन्दी] [watch Gender Equality Talks on invisible labour at home] "As we celebrate the Labour Day let us celebrate the women of the world, because it is the women who are holding this world together..." so said Betty Ogwaro, Member of Parliament and former Agriculture Minister of South Sudan, while speaking at a special session of Gender Equality Talks, focussing on "invisible labour at home: the unpaid care work." Women shoulder the hardest of labour (paid and unpaid, visible and invisible) but seldom get recognition, rights, and justice.

This podcast features Prof Kogie Naidoo, Head of the Treatment Research Programme, and Deputy Director of Centre of the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA). She was awarded the coveted 2013 Union Scientific Prize for her contribution to advancing TB science worldwide.

She is in conversation with Ashok Ramsarup who is among the senior-most journalists of South Africa and has served South Africa Broadcasting Corporation as senior Producer of Lotus FM Newsbreak; and other media houses for over 45 years.

Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, Podtail, BluBrry, Himalaya, ListenNotes, American Podcasts, CastBox FM, Ivy FM, Player FM, iVoox, and other podcast streaming platforms.

A migrant worker who was sick for over three months, actively sought medical help and advice, but his health kept deteriorating. Despite having constant cough, fever, and increasing weakness since months, neither he nor his treating doctor(s) thought of TB. And this did not happen in an area with low TB rates but in India’s national capital Delhi – a state with highest TB rates nationwide – and a country which is home to the largest TB burden in the world.

Finding TB is central to ending TB, says Prof Kogie Naidoo of CAPRISA

Labour Day | Gender Equality Talks on invisible labour at home

watch the recording

Join us on the eve of World Labour Day, on Tuesday, 30th April 2024, in a special episode of Gender Equality Talks live on invisible labour at home (2pm India. Sri Lanka time, duration: 1 hour). This year's Labour Day 2024 is on the theme “Social justice and decent work for all,” and we at CNS are hosting a special session of Gender Equality Talks Live focussing on invisible labour at home: the unpaid care work.

[video] Is Myanmar on track to end TB?

[video] Cameroon gearing up to bridge upfront molecular diagnostic gap and strengthen response to #endTB

[podcast] Dr Bornali Datta shares high impact journey of Medanta vans reaching the unreached with TB services

Listen to this podcast featuring Dr Bornali Datta, Director, Respiratory Medicine at Medanta, and Project Lead of Mission TB Free Haryana. She shares insights of the incredible and high-impact journey of Medanta vans since 2015 onwards of how they are reaching the unreached with WHO recommended and quality assured TB diagnostics and services in Haryana, Delhi, and other parts of India. She is in conversation with Shobha Shukla, CNS founder Managing Editor and Chairperson of Global Antimicrobial Resistance Media Alliance.

[video] Medanta van on wheels are reaching the unreached with WHO recommended TB screening and diagnostic tools

[video] Persistence pays: Community health workers worked hard to make TB services accessible for a homeless person

[video] Hyderabad's urban slum resident and welding worker got back on TB treatment, completed it

[video] Fighting TB in shelter homes for homeless people

[video] Migrant worker won over TB, helps others access care

[video] Homeless person won over TB and alcohol, survived floods

The chasm between TB and HIV continues

“The two worst global health problems have combined forces well. But the institutions addressing them have miserably failed to put their act together,” wrote Dr Tim France, a noted global health thought leader, in an op-ed article titled “The chasm between TB and HIV” which was widely published in several newspapers of high TB burden countries in Asia Pacific and Africa in 2006.