Today, the Ifakara Health Institute joins the world in observing World AIDS Day under the theme, “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response.” This day is a critical opportunity to recognize both the progress made and the urgent challenges ahead in the global fight against HIV/AIDS.

According to the 2025 UNAIDS World AIDS Day report, the global funding crisis has thrown the AIDS response into turmoil, causing major disruptions to HIV prevention and community-led services—particularly for those most vulnerable. However, UNAIDS notes that the new evidence shows resilience, sustained investment, innovation, and global solidarity can still put the world back on track to end AIDS

Read here: 2025 World AIDS Day report

Ifakara’s role in HIV care
For decades Ifakara has been at the forefront of HIV research and care, striving to improve patient outcomes and inform effective community-based interventions.

The Chronic Diseases Clinic Ifakara (CDCI), established in 2004 through a collaboration between Ifakara, St. Francis Referral Hospital, the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, and University Hospital Basel, has enrolled over 12,000 HIV-positive individuals into care. The clinic supports KIULARCO (Kilombero and Ulanga Antiretroviral Cohort), a longitudinal study of nearly 6,000 patients, providing invaluable insights into HIV treatment, adherence, opportunistic infections, AIDS-related malignancies, and mother-to-child transmission.

Nested within the CDCI, the One Stop Clinic—founded in 2014—offers integrated care for HIV-positive pregnant women and their families, serving as a model for rural HIV care across Tanzania and sub-Saharan Africa.

Beyond clinical care, Ifakara invests in capacity building, training healthcare workers to deliver high-quality HIV services, strengthening the sustainability of the HIV response in the region.

Join us this World AIDS Day in calling for sustained political leadership, international cooperation, and community-driven solutions to overcome disruption and transform the AIDS response.