AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has surpassed 2 million patients in care across 15 African countries, marking a historic achievement 25 years after beginning its first programs outside the United States in South Africa and Uganda. With programs in four additional countries expected to launch in 2027, AHF is recognizing the communities and partnerships behind this progress while calling for urgent action to close persistent gaps in the HIV response.

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Advocates march through Durban, South Africa, during AHF’s Keep the Promise march in July 2016, as the International AIDS Conference returned to the city 16 years after the landmark 2000 gathering. The 2000 conference spurred AHF to begin providing treatment outside the United States in response to the dire lack of access to lifesaving HIV medicines in Africa.

Advocates march through Durban, South Africa, during AHF’s Keep the Promise march in July 2016, as the International AIDS Conference returned to the city 16 years after the landmark 2000 gathering. The 2000 conference spurred AHF to begin providing treatment outside the United States in response to the dire lack of access to lifesaving HIV medicines in Africa.

AHF’s work in Africa began in 2001 with modest programs when antiretroviral therapy was beyond the reach of most people on the continent. At the time, only about 5% of the 21 million patients in need were receiving treatment. Combining direct care with advocacy for affordable medicines, AHF worked alongside governments and communities to help make lifesaving treatment accessible.

The milestone brings AHF’s “Treatment = Life” message into focus: HIV treatment is prevention. People who achieve viral suppression do not transmit HIV. Treatment keeps people alive, healthy, and able to pursue their futures. These benefits require early diagnosis, prompt treatment, and uninterrupted care.

“Two million patients in care means millions more family and community members whose lives are better because their loved ones are alive and thriving,” said Dr. Penninah Iutung, AHF Executive Vice President – Global. “By keeping people healthy, antiretroviral treatment helps them live fulfilling lives—strengthening productivity, household incomes, and communities’ social and economic wellbeing. That is what ‘Treatment = Life’ means, and it is what makes this milestone so meaningful.”

Yet testing is still lagging, prevention remains off track, and too many people go without treatment or fall out of care. These practical gaps threaten progress and demand renewed political commitment.

“This progress took activism, research, political will, and people working together—from communities to governments—because they refused to accept that millions should die without treatment,” said Martin Matabishi, AHF Africa Bureau Chief. “We must reaffirm our commitment to the HIV response. We must reach people who do not know their HIV status, expand prevention, and ensure everyone who starts treatment stays on it. HIV is not over.”

AHF calls on governments and partners to protect the gains made in the HIV response by sustaining HIV funding, expanding testing and prevention services, ensuring uninterrupted antiretroviral therapy (ART) access and retaining patients in care. “Treatment = Life” embodies AHF’s commitment to supporting Africa’s efforts to advance the AIDS response and achieve the goal of HIV control.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the world’s largest HIV/AIDS healthcare organization, provides cutting-edge medicine and advocacy to more than 3 million people across 50 countries, including the U.S. and in Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region, and Eastern Europe. In January 2025, AHF received the MLK, Jr. Social Justice Award, The King Center’s highest recognition for an organization leading work in the social justice arena. To learn more about AHF, visit us online at AIDShealth.org, find us on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.

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