Aubrey Weber, FHI 360
Katie Williams, FHI 360
Mercy Luwi Katoka, FHI 360
Amogelang Sasha Kekana, Wits RHI
Sanele Ngulube, Pangaea Zimbabwe
In July, MOSAIC staff from FHI 360, Wits RHI, Pangaea Zimbabwe, Jhpiego, AVAC, and Avenir Health traveled to Munich, Germany, for the 25th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2024). The five of us were fortunate to be among our MOSAIC colleagues in attendance. In this post, we share some of our conference reflections, highlighting three key themes that emerged across our session attendance and participation. You can find a full list of MOSAIC’s involvement at AIDS 2024 here.
#PutPeopleFirst is more than a hashtag. It’s about having a literal seat at the table.
Sasha: Participating in an advocates’ dialogue with Dr. Atul Gawande who later said, “Sasha, nice to see you again, meeting you for the third time across the globe,” was an incredible highlight for me. We gathered with other advocates at the conference from Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, and discussed how to strengthen our own systems and make sure that healthcare providers are supported in providing HIV prevention methods to clients. As a young person, being in that meeting was empowering. Following the theme to put people first, I felt seen, heard, and understood in that room. In one of Dr. Gawande’s closing remarks at the plenary session, he remarked that people come before products, and he meant it.
Luwi: Being invited to the closed advocates meeting with Dr. Atul Gawande at AIDS 2024 was an awesome experience. As a young advocate, having a seat at this table meant our voices were valued. We discussed Gilead’s new HIV prevention option, Lenacapavir, focusing on the importance of community engagement, messaging, sustainability, costs, and integration with primary healthcare when rolling out this new product. The meeting highlighted the conference theme of putting people first by ensuring that the perspectives of communities, including youth, were heard and considered. It was an example of meaningful youth engagement because our insights were actively sought, respected, and integrated into the broader conversation, rather than merely having us present as tokens. Reflecting on this, I feel empowered and motivated. Being at the table with Dr. Gawande reaffirmed my commitment to advocating for accessible, sustainable, and youth-friendly healthcare solutions. It demonstrated that when given the opportunity, young people can significantly contribute to shaping effective HIV prevention and treatment strategies.
Meaningful community engagement has been key to the HIV response, but can be strengthened with a shift to community leadership.
Katie: Community voices continue to fight for a strong presence in sessions and across spaces. It was thrilling to be surrounded by so many individuals elevating community needs, perspectives, and opportunities. Be it through oral abstract panels, demonstrations throughout the exhibition halls, or poster presentations, community voices were at the forefront of the conference and drew thoughtful attention. The conference offered a point of convergence for science and advocacy, and I look forward to a future that dedicates even more purposeful space to those community voices, deferring to community leadership in shaping the agenda, prioritizing key sessions, and establishing collaborative networks.
Sanele: Collaboration, innovation, and community engagement are supremely important to achieving the goal of ending HIV and AIDS as a public health threat. The United States’ Global AIDS Coordinator and Senior Bureau Official for Global Health Security and Diplomacy, Ambassador Dr. John N. Nkengasong, made a powerful statement during AIDS 2024 that it’s not about youth engagement but youth leadership. As a member of MOSAIC’s NextGen Squad, I highly related to and appreciated this statement because I believe that if young people are given the opportunities, enough resources, and support, they can surely lead initiatives targeting them and reach their full potential.
In the era of PrEP choice, HIV prevention programs must balance innovation and sustainability to ensure continued access for all.
Aubrey: We have heard it before. Lack of equitable access to and uptake of HIV prevention options, as well as deeply-ingrained global stigma associated with both HIV and HIV prevention, are among the most prominent reasons why HIV is still considered an epidemic. On the topic of stigma, Marc Franke, the ‘Düsseldorf patient’ who was cured of HIV in 2023 after receiving a stem cell transplant a decade prior to treat leukemia, noted rather powerfully that he wished he could speak as freely about his experience with HIV as he could his experience with cancer. The message of balance between innovation and sustainability also rang loud and clear for me throughout the conference, especially as stakeholders discussed exciting innovations in prevention, in this new era of PrEP choice. Without addressing the barriers of access, uptake, and stigma, innovations will inevitably fall short.
Luwi: Addressing the sustainability of PrEP programs while working towards reaching UNAIDS’ 2030 goal is vital. There is a need to strengthen partnerships with PrEP drug suppliers to diversify PrEP products, reduce costs, and leverage co-investment in PrEP programs. As we advance HIV prevention strategies, it’s crucial to find a balance between innovation and sustainability. Ensuring that both existing and new prevention options are both accessible and affordable is key to maintaining and expanding access for all individuals at risk of HIV. Additionally, collaboration with global and local stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, and community-based organizations, is essential to create comprehensive strategies that address both the immediate and long-term needs of those at risk of HIV. By prioritizing equitable access and fostering resilient health systems, we can make significant strides toward ending the HIV epidemic. As we move forward, let us remain committed to placing people at the center of our efforts, ensuring that the voices of those most affected by HIV are heard and valued. Together, through sustained and innovative approaches, we can achieve our shared vision of a world without HIV.
Featured Image: Sanele Ngulube, Mercy Luwi Katoka, Aubrey Weber, Katie Williams, and Amogelang Sasha Kekana at AIDS 2024 (MOSAIC).