9 million still miss HIV treatment, WHO warns as funding cuts threaten 2030 goals

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stark warning: approximately nine million individuals living with HIV are still deprived of essential, life-saving treatment. This critical shortfall, coupled with funding cuts, ongoing humanitarian crises, and widening societal inequalities, jeopardizes the global ambition to eradicate HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as public health threats by the year 2030.

The WHO's latest assessment, detailed in the Global Health Sector Strategies (GHSS) on HIV, Viral Hepatitis and STIs 2022–2030, highlights a concerning dichotomy. While significant progress has been achieved over the past decade, driven by scientific advancements and dedicated investment, this momentum is fragile. The report cautions that without sustained financial commitment, robust health systems, and enhanced community involvement, the hard-won gains could be reversed.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, emphasized the dual narrative presented by the report. "This report tells two stories," he stated. "It demonstrates what is possible when countries invest in health, communities and science. But it also shows how quickly progress can be undone by funding disruptions, humanitarian emergencies and persistent inequalities." He stressed the need to build integrated, resilient health systems that prioritize reaching the most vulnerable populations over the next five years.

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This report tells two stories. It demonstrates what is possible when countries invest in health, communities and science. But it also shows how quickly progress can be undone by funding disruptions, humanitarian emergencies and persistent inequalities.

While new HIV infections have decreased by 42 percent and AIDS-related deaths by 57 percent since 2010, with 32 million people receiving treatment by the end of 2025, the nine million still without access represent a significant challenge. New infections are alarmingly on the rise in several regions, particularly among key populations such as sex workers, men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, transgender individuals, and those in correctional facilities. Furthermore, reductions in international donor funding in 2025 have hampered HIV prevention programs, including access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), in numerous countries. Although some governments have attempted to maintain services, preliminary data indicate a decline in PrEP usage in various communities.

The WHO also raised concerns about viral hepatitis, which continues to be a major global killer despite treatment and prevention advances. Although hepatitis B infections have dropped by 32 percent and hepatitis C-related deaths by 12 percent since 2015, the disease still caused an estimated 1.3 million deaths in 2024. Deaths linked to hepatitis B have notably increased by 17 percent in the last decade, attributed to low rates of diagnosis and treatment coverage. Progress in combating sexually transmitted infections remains mixed.

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Over the next five years, we must build integrated, resilient health systems that reach those furthest behind.