UNICEF: HIV & AIDS treatment disrupted by COVID-19 pandemic, pediatric services affected

A child or a young person under of 20 got infected with HIV approximately every once in one minute and 40 seconds in 2019, informed UNICEF. organisation furr ded that about 3,20,000 children and olescent were infected with HIV in 2019 out of which 1,10,000 children died of AIDS in same year stated UNICEF. Informing that a large number of children did t have access to life-saving treatment, UNICEF report stated that condition of HIV epidemic has furr worsened due to COVID-19 pandemic. Citing data from a Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), UNICEF report showed impact of several factors, including control measures, supply chain disruption, lack of personal protective equipment and redeployment of healthcare workers, on HIV healthcare services. 

Speaking about impact of COVID-19 on HIV/AIDS-related healthcare facilities, UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore said, "Children are still getting infected at alarming rates, and y are still dying from AIDS. This was even before COVID-19 interrupted vital HIV treatment and prevention services putting countless more lives at risk."

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"Ravs of HIV epidemic"

In 2019, less than half of children infected with HIV across globe did t have access to life-saving treatment as per UNICEF report. report furr suggested that COVID-19 outbreak has worsened inequalities in access to life-saving HIV facilities and treatments, especially for children, olescents and pregnant mors. report also highlights serious concerns as it is expected that about one-third of high HIV burden countries worldwide could face disruption in treatment due to COVID-19 pandemic. 

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"Even as world struggles in midst of an ongoing global pandemic, hundreds of thousands of children continue to suffer ravs of HIV epidemic," said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore.

As per data from UNAIDS, treatment for HIV and viral lo testing in children fell by 50 to 70 percent in some countries while new treatment initiation fell by about 25 to 50 percent in month of April and May which coincide with COVID-19 induced lockdowns. data furr suggests that healthcare facilities for pregnant women and maternal treatment was also reduced by 20 to 60 percent and maternal HIV testing and antiretroviral rapy (ART) initiation fell by 25 to 50 percent with infant testing dropping by about 10 percent. 

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easing of COVID-19 restrictions combined with strategic targeting of pregnant woman and children, HIV healthcare services have witnessed a rebound in recent months. challenges in providing HIV/AIDS healthcare facilities to people continue to remain, as per UNICEF world is still far away from achieving global 2020 pediatric HIV targets. UNICEF report furr informs that while re has been some progress in deces-long fight against HIV and AIDS, deep regional disparities continue to persist in several areas, especially in terms of pediatric HIV services. 

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(With inputs from ANI/Xinhua)