Statement by GNP+ on the occasion of the 74th World Health Assembly – Agenda item 26.4, Global health sector strategies on, respectively, HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections.
GNP+ welcome the proposed decision by the EB to the WHA to request the DG to develop a new global health sector strategy on HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections for the period 2022-2030.
We welcome the emphasis on HIV self-testing, elimination of vertical transmission, and cervical cancer. We appreciate the focus on concrete plans and results for Hep B, C and TB and we look forward to further strengthening this integration across health systems.
However, there is an urgent need to address the structural and intersectional barriers of discrimination, gender inequality, criminalization, underfunding and exclusion of key populations[1] and other affected populations[2].
We further want to stress the urgent need to engage civil society and communities more meaningfully. We have seen key population communities supporting health facilities in outreach and adherence, but key populations & communities need to participate structurally in critical decision-making that impacts their lives.
We are ready to engage in the strategy development process; the recent experience of GAS development can be used as a blueprint towards inclusive, organized, and effective community engagement.
Civil society and communities also need to be involved in consultations and the preparation phase of guidelines development, such as research of demand and needs, ethics, and data collection. This will help efficient and sustainable decision-making and will positively impact achieving results and accountability.
Member states must prioritize and invest in what science proved to work to end AIDS and to challenge the structural barriers of criminalization and exclusion of key and vulnerable populations. It is vital that the new WHO global health sector strategy on HIV, hepatitis and STIs will be aligned to the commitments and targets of the new 2021 Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS, the GAS, and the new Global Fund strategy beyond 2022 to ensure that international and domestic investments are directed towards the critical gaps.
We call upon member states to address the priorities of the civil society declaration for the 2021 HLM on HIV/AIDS in the development process of the global health sector strategy on HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections 2022-2030 and sign the Civil Society Declaration for the 2021 HLM on HIV/AIDS.
[1] gay men and other men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, sex workers, transgender people, people in prisons and other closed settings; and all people living with HIV
[2] women and adolescent girls and their male partners, young people, persons with disabilities, ethnic and racial minorities, indigenous peoples, people living in poverty, migrants, refugees and people in humanitarian emergencies and conflict and post-conflict situations
