The Chief Executive Officer of Afrihealth Optonet Association, Uzodinma Adirieje, has called for urgent and coordinated action to address gaps in pediatric and adolescent HIV care across Africa.
Speaking after a stakeholders’ dialogue convened by the association, Adirieje warned that children and adolescents remain disproportionately affected by HIV despite progress in prevention and treatment.
He revealed that Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for over 88 per cent of children living with HIV globally, with treatment coverage for children still below 60 per cent in many countries.
Adirieje attributed the situation to factors such as gender inequality, stigma, socio-economic barriers and weak health systems, which continue to limit access to testing, treatment and long-term care.
The concerns were highlighted during AHOA’s sixth Life and Health Dialogue session held on February 10, 2026, themed “Pediatric and Adolescent HIV in Africa: Equity, Financing and Data.”
The forum brought together policymakers, health professionals, civil society groups, development partners and youth representatives to discuss ways to close existing gaps.
According to him, discussions focused on improving healthcare access, securing sustainable funding and strengthening data systems to guide policy decisions.
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He stressed the need for African countries to boost domestic funding for HIV programmes and reduce dependence on foreign donors, while also encouraging stronger partnerships to sustain interventions.
Participants at the dialogue also examined strategies to improve early diagnosis in infants, expand treatment coverage and ensure adolescents remain in care.
Adirieje further called for the use of reliable, real-time data to improve accountability and track progress in national HIV responses.
“The disparities we see are not just statistics. They are barriers to life and opportunity. Stakeholders must move beyond dialogue to concrete action that ensures no child is left behind,” he said.
The Afrihealth Optonet Association is a global civil society network with over 3,000 member organisations across more than 120 countries, working at the intersection of health, climate and sustainable development.