(DDM) – An international health advocacy group has called for stronger commitment from governments and stakeholders to improve access to HIV services and reduce stigma across East and West Africa.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that Diana Tibesigwa, Regional Advocacy and Policy Manager, emphasized during an interview on December 2, 2025, that stigma remains one of the major obstacles preventing people from knowing their HIV status.
She noted that fear of social judgment discourages many from seeking testing and treatment, undermining national efforts to reduce new infections.
Tibesigwa stressed the urgent need to create an enabling environment where individuals can access care without fear, asserting that HIV should not be treated as deadly or shameful.
She urged governments to address systemic health sector challenges, particularly the shortage of human resources, which hampers effective service delivery.
In addition to staffing gaps, Tibesigwa highlighted the importance of adopting digital and gateway technologies that allow patients to receive follow-up care without frequent visits to health facilities.
Such innovations, she said, could reduce pressure on healthcare systems while improving patient adherence and overall outcomes.
The advocacy group also pushed for a comprehensive approach to HIV prevention. While biomedical interventions such as antiretroviral therapy remain crucial, Tibesigwa emphasized integrating condom use and other primary prevention methods into national strategies.
She underscored the role of comprehensive sexuality education in equipping young people and the general population with accurate, age-appropriate information about sexual health.
DDM gathered that part of the organization’s ongoing advocacy involves engaging government partners on policies that guarantee free HIV testing, consistent access to condoms, and an uninterrupted supply of essential commodities. Tibesigwa highlighted that these measures are critical for reducing new infections and securing a healthier future for all.
Experts believe that integrating technology into HIV treatment and prevention could revolutionize healthcare delivery in the region.
Digital tools such as mobile health applications, telemedicine platforms, and remote patient monitoring systems offer potential to track patient progress, remind individuals to take medications, and reduce clinic congestion.
HIV remains a pressing public health issue across Africa, with millions still living with the virus. Advocacy organizations argue that combining medical, technological, and educational strategies is essential to achieving global targets for reducing infection rates and improving quality of life for affected populations.
Tibesigwa concluded by urging stakeholders at all levels to prioritize HIV interventions that are both innovative and inclusive, ensuring that no one is left behind in the fight against the epidemic.
