WHO launches new reports to intensify fight against HIV, hepatitis and STIs

The World Health Organization has released two key reports to help countries across the world – including Indonesia – end the epidemics of HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 3.3.

The first publication – “Medicines for HIV, viral hepatitis and STIs in low- and middle-income countries: forecasts of global demand for 2022–2026” – provides global medicines forecasts across the three disease areas, recognizing the benefits of coordinated action, and the need for countries to ensure access for all to quality, safe and affordable medicines. This is especially important in Indonesia, where in 2022 just 33% of individuals diagnosed with HIV were receiving antiretroviral treatment. Based on the latest data, this number is expected to rise to about 44% in 2023. On hepatitis, the most recent data show that more than 7% of the population tested positive for the hepatitis B surface antigen and approximately 1% for hepatitis C antibodies.

The second publication – “HIV and viral hepatitis diagnostic tests in low- and middle-income countries: forecasts of global and regional demand for 2022-2026” – complements the first publication, and presents findings on global demand for CD4 tests, viral load tests, infant diagnostic tests and rapid diagnostic tests for HIV and viral hepatitis B and C, which are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and viral hepatitis-related deaths globally. In Indonesia, these forecasts will support the recent implementation of dual HIV/syphilis testing in antenatal care, which is expected to significantly increase demand for Benzathine penicillin G.

Download the publications here: