World AIDS Day serves as a reminder of the global impact of HIV and AIDS, particularly on vulnerable populations like children. Despite significant progress in combating HIV, children remain deeply affected by the epidemic.
According to a UNICEF Report, in 2023, around 2.38 million children (aged 0-19) were living with HIV worldwide. Every day, approximately 685 children became infected, and about 250 children died from AIDS-related causes due to limited access to prevention, care, and treatment services. Tragically, AIDS has orphaned 14.1 million children under 18, leaving them vulnerable to poverty, discrimination, and loss of education.
Of the 630,000 AIDS-related deaths in 2023, around 90,000 (14 per cent) were children under 20. Alarmingly, 73 per cent of these deaths occurred in children younger than 10, despite being preventable, according to the report.
Global Trends: Progress And Challenges
Efforts to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV have led to a 62 per cent decline in new infections among children aged 0-14 since 2010. However, progress among adolescents (15-19) has been slower, with only a 48 per cent decline in new infections over the same period.
While annual AIDS-related deaths among children under 14 have fallen by 80 per cent since 2002, deaths among adolescents aged 15-19 have only decreased by 8 per cent, indicating that older children are being left behind.
The Indian Context
India is home to an estimated 2.4 million people living with HIV, with children under 15 making up 3.5 per cent of the cases. The majority of infections occur in adults aged 15-49.
Moving Forward
The fight against HIV in children and adolescents requires targeted action. Improved access to testing, treatment, and education is essential to prevent new infections and reduce AIDS-related deaths. World AIDS Day is a call to continue this fight until no child suffers from the consequences of HIV.
The numbers are stark, but the progress made proves that change is possible. By focusing on equity in healthcare and stepping up efforts for adolescents, we can build a future free of AIDS for all children.