In the middle of global setbacks, one new policy document gave me something I hadn’t felt in a while—hope 💛

Written by Adaobi Lisa Olisa

It’s not enough to name the crisis—we need bold solutions. That’s why this new African-led policy brief matters more than ever

When I left CROI 2025, I was deeply unsettled.
I had asked a simple but urgent question during the Scott M. Hammer Workshop:

“It’s good that we’re naming the impact of the funding freeze… but why isn’t there a dedicated session for us to brainstorm clear and actionable strategies to close these gaps?”

The following questions haunted me for weeks.
Why aren’t we more worried that HIV prevention is being sidelined?
Why aren’t we emphasizing that treatment alone won’t end HIV?

We need prevention, treatment and other innovative interventions to reach the finish line.

Then this week, I saw something that moved me from panic to purpose.
📢 A new policy brief—developed by leaders from 11 African countries—was released, and it is exactly the kind of bold, solutions-driven action we need.
📄 Title: “Strengthening National Leadership for Sustainable HIV Programs: A Policy Brief for Government Leaders.”

And it’s so much more than a document; it’s:

✔ A roadmap
✔ A wake-up call
✔ An accountability tool

It’s a testament to African leadership, resilience, and readiness to protect the future of the HIV response.

🔍 The brief lays out:
• Priority actions for governments navigating funding transitions
• Strategies to increase domestic and innovative financing
• Integration of HIV services into national health systems
• The critical need to protect prevention for key and vulnerable populations

💡 It offers what we’ve been desperately needing: clarity, strategy, and hope.

Alongside this, an important Viewpoint article “The Global HIV Response at a Crossroads: Protecting Gains and Advancing Sustainability Amid Funding Disruptions”—was published in The Lancet HIV.

It highlights country-level impacts of the funding freeze and urges bold action from both national leaders and global funders to:

Support integration of services
Invest in health system resilience
Fund under-resourced priorities
Ensure access to long-acting PrEP

I’m beyond grateful to everyone who contributed to these documents. Your leadership is courageous, timely, and necessary. You’ve reminded us that even under pressure, we are not powerless.

🌍 My dear changemakers and advocates, this is our moment.
Let’s turn these recommendations into reality—community by community, policy by policy.

📌 Read. Share. Use it. This is our tool. Our guide. Our call.
We can emerge stronger—but only if we act.

📎 Click for Policy Brief: Strengthening National Leadership for Sustainable HIV Programs: A Policy Brief for Government Leaders.
📎 Click for Viewpoint: The Global HIV Response at a Crossroads: Protecting Gains and Advancing Sustainability Amid Funding Disruptions

Photo Credit; LinkedIn Posts by Kenneth Ngure and Charles Holmes

Beacon of Hope for Young Voices 🦋