HIV webinar to focus on keeping patients in care

AIDS Healthcare Foundation and the Global Network of People Living with HIV said they will hold a global webinar on October 22 about gaps in HIV testing and treatment, barriers to keeping people in care and political accountability in the HIV/AIDS response.

The webinar is titled “Retention and Viral Suppression: Renewing Political Leadership and Accountability for AIDS Control.” The organisations said it will include public health leaders, policymakers, researchers, advocates and networks of people living with HIV.

The organisers said the discussion will focus on retention in care, meaning support for people who have started HIV treatment to remain connected to medicines and services. They said consistent treatment can suppress HIV to undetectable levels, helping people live longer and preventing sexual transmission of the virus.

The organisations cited estimates that 1.2 million people acquired HIV and 570,000 people died from AIDS-related causes in 2025. They also said about 41 million people are living with HIV worldwide, including about 5 million who remain undiagnosed, more than 9 million who are not receiving treatment and an estimated 10.6 million who are not virally suppressed.