At the 23rd edition of the International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA), Vice President, H.E. Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, urged African countries to place prevention at the center of their strategies to combat HIV/AIDS, emphasizing the urgent need to scale up programs and adopt innovative approaches.
Speaking before over 3,000 delegates from 85 countries, including policymakers, scientists, civil society organizations, academics, and community leaders, the Vice President highlighted that behavioral interventions, self-testing, and targeted programs must be strengthened to control the epidemic effectively.
“Prevention must remain at the heart of our strategy. We must invest in behavioral interventions, scale up HIV self-testing, expand targeted programs, and prepare to adopt innovations,” she said, adding that these measures are critical to changing the trajectory of HIV on the continent.
The Vice President also drew attention to the shrinking global support for HIV programs and other essential health services. She cautioned that Africa cannot afford to let its hard-earned health gains unravel.
“With global support shrinking, we must refuse to let our hard-earned gains unravel. This is our moment to be bold and rebuild a sustainable foundation for the next generation of health security,” she stressed.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang called for African ownership of the health agenda, urging nations to define their priorities and build self-reliant health systems capable of sustaining progress in the face of reduced international funding.
Vice President also outlined the government’s upcoming Free Primary Healthcare initiative, set to launch in January 2026, as part of broader reforms to decentralize care and guarantee access to essential health services for all communities. “Free Primary Healthcare will guarantee access to essential services to every community, thus decentralizing care,” she said.
She noted that the government has also uncapped the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to expand fiscal space for essential health services, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to universal healthcare.
In addition to prevention and care, the Vice President emphasized the importance of focusing on vulnerable groups, particularly adolescent girls and women, who continue to account for a disproportionate share of new HIV infections across Africa. She urged governments and partners to scale up interventions that target these populations and leverage innovations in testing, treatment, and community outreach.
ICASA 2025, held under the theme “Africa in Action: Catalysing Integrated Sustainable Responses to End AIDS, TB and Malaria,” serves as a platform for sharing research, best practices, and policy strategies. Delegates are engaging in discussions on innovative health technologies, integrated service delivery, and sustainable financing models to accelerate progress toward ending HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases on the continent.
The Vice President’s address reinforced a renewed call to action for Africa to take bold steps in health leadership, ensuring that future generations inherit a continent that is resilient, self-reliant, and prepared to tackle public health challenges.