TogetHER For Health, CDA Consult mark 2024 World AIDS Day

TogetHER for Health (TogetHER) has joined forces with the Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult) to mark the 2024 World AIDS Day and to celebrate the tremendous progress made in the global fight against HIV/AIDS.

The celebration on the theme “Take the rights path: My health, my right!” also serves as a moment for reflecting on the millions of lives lost and how to ensure access to prevention, testing, and treatment for all in need.

“It’s also an important day to take stock of progress on global commitments to end HIV/AIDS—which inspired a similar evidence-based global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem,” TogetHER’s Executive Director Heather White stated.

TogetHER for Health is a global partnership ensuring the elimination of cervical cancer through advocacy, partnership, and knowledge-sharing, enabling equitable access to effective prevention and care.

The CDA Consult, based in Ghana, has embarked on a nationwide five-year FREE HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS (HPV) VACCINATION ADVOCACY to scale up prevention, detection, and treatment towards the elimination of cervical cancer in Ghana.

The nationwide anti-cervical cancer advocacy campaign also seeks to raise public awareness about the dangers of cervical cancer and the need for concerted efforts to deal with the danger.

Ms. White noted that the deadly relationship between cervical cancer and HIV/AIDS is well-documented.

“Women living with HIV are up to six times more likely to develop invasive cervical cancer than their HIV-negative peers. Women testing positive for infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) that causes almost all cervical cancers are twice as likely to be infected with HIV.

“And the burden of cervical cancer is most profound in parts of the world with high prevalence of HIV/AIDS—especially sub-Saharan Africa,” she noted.

She said it’s only logical that programmes reaching women and girls living with HIV integrate cervical cancer prevention and treatment services, not just due to the high levels of comorbidity, but also because the two conditions share barriers to access such as social stigma and misinformation.

TogetHER for Health Executive Director noted, “As funding for HIV/AIDS programming goes, so does cervical cancer support.

“This World AIDS Day, we call on leaders across the world to fulfill their commitments to ending HIV/AIDS around the world—commitments that have made huge strides in safeguarding women from cervical cancer.”

Mr. Francis Ameyibor, Executive Director of CDA Consult, urged the global community to intensify the fight against HIV/AIDS and cervical cancer.

He explained that as the world marks World AIDS Day, the global community must move beyond commemoration and increase support for public education and sensitization towards the elimination of HIV/AIDS by 2030.

Mr. Ameyibor also emphasizes the crucial need for world leaders to acknowledge the link between HIV/AIDS and cervical cancer.

According to CDA CONSULT, the fight against HIV/AIDS requires a multifaceted approach that includes awareness creation, education, and community engagement.

He, therefore, urged governments, international organizations, and civil society to scale up their efforts in providing access to HIV testing, treatment, and care.

“CDA CONSULT is highlighting the critical connection between HIV/AIDS and cervical cancer as research shows that women living with HIV are at a higher risk of developing cervical cancer, which is a leading cause of cancer deaths among women in sub-Saharan Africa.

"We cannot afford to overlook the intersection between HIV/AIDS and cervical cancer," said Mr. Ameyibor.

The CDA CONSUL Executive Director noted, "We must work together to address these interconnected health issues and ensure that women and girls have access to comprehensive healthcare services."