Pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences has come under mounting pressure after refusing to sell its breakthrough HIV prevention drug, lenacapavir, directly to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), despite repeated requests. In an open letter, the group renewed its repeated requests to California-based Gilead to sell the drug, saying the company is blocking lenacapavir’s rollout. MSF said it had sought to purchase…
Blocking humanitarian organizations from accessing a medical breakthrough puts vulnerable people across the world in danger. In an open letter published today, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) called on the US pharmaceutical corporation Gilead Sciences to immediately sell the organization the game-changing and highly effective HIV prevention medicine, lenacapavir, for use in its medical programs worldwide. Despite multiple requests, the company…
Empower+ equips adolescent girls with foundational and AI skills, preparing them for an AI-enabled economy. (Image supplied by Microsoft) Microsoft and the UNAIDS-supported Education Plus initiative have collaborated to launch Empower+, a free artificial intelligence (AI) and digital skills platform aimed at equipping young people with future-ready skills across 21 African countries. According to a…
Nairobi — New HIV research presented this week at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI 2026) has revealed critical evidence gaps that experts say must be urgently addressed to strengthen HIV treatment strategies across Africa. Researchers from the Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (CEMA) at the University of Nairobi presented findings from…
Failure to adhere to HIV treatment is costing lives The Ndovu Study is strengthening HIV treatment by redefining how treatment failure and drug resistance are detected, managed, and prevented across Africa and beyond. Nairobi, KENYA (12 February 2026) — A new study is generating critical evidence to guide the optimal management of HIV patients who…
Scale-backs and deep spending cuts within the US government and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS are hobbling HIV treatment programs across Africa, including in Ethiopia, warns a new report from a UN health agency. “Before the funding cuts in 2025, Ethiopia was heavily dependent on external funding (mainly from the Global Fund and the…
South Africa has moved a step closer to an HIV vaccine with the launch of the BRILLIANT 011 clinical trial at the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation (DTHF) site at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town. The first participant has already been enrolled. The trial forms part of the BRILLIANT Consortium, an African-led research initiative working…
No, Gammora is not a ‘cure’ for HIV. False promises and fake medicine being sold on social media IN SHORT: Social media posts advertising a drug called “Gammora” claim that it can treat and even “cure” HIV. But these claims are false. Gammora is not available for sale anywhere – these advertisements are scams –…
The US government paused all foreign assistance in January 2025. This abrupt decision affected the delivery of life-saving HIV medicines and the provision of HIV prevention services to millions of people. A UNAIDS report estimates there could be an additional 6 million new HIV infections and 4 million Aids-related deaths by 2029 if the world…
The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated Brazil for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV, making it the most populous country in the Americas to achieve this historic milestone. This accomplishment reflects Brazil’s long-standing commitment to universal and free access to health services through its Unified Health System (SUS), anchored in a strong…
