On Sept. 30, Congress was supposed to reauthorize U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief funding. Partisan infighting and politicking derailed its full-fledged reauthorization, scapegoating accusations of
provided $100 billion over two decades to support HIV care globally, including antiretrovirals to 20.1 million people living with HIV ; 25 million lives were saved. As an infectious diseases physician and clinical trials investigator, I witnessed firsthand benefits of Strategic Direction has goals to address gaps in HIV care. These aims include achieving 95-95-95 treatment targets, reducing incident HIV, addressing societal barriers, and strengthening governmental and health care systems.While providing medical care, conducting research, teaching trainees, and cultivating infectious diseases fellowship programs in Rwanda and Liberia, I am entangled in global under-resourced health care systems.
's agenda.I observed stark differences in funding exists and the HIV care continuum is relatively sparse. I recall a patient with AIDS whose visage was paralyzed along with the leg, unable to walk. The AIDS-associated JC virus caused a debilitating neurologic syndrome, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, necessitating a faithful bedside caretaker.In Rwanda, where
could have been fully reauthorized; yet, it was not—a critical misstep in principle, symbolism. In the future, I call on Congress to reauthorize