At the 68th World Health Assembly gets underway in Geneva, IPPF Director General Tewodros Melesse will take part in a panel addressing ‘Changing the trajectory of three epidemics - HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections - through the development of global health sector strategies.’

As the world looks to 2030, and prepares to meet the challenges of an ambitious set of Sustainable Development Goals, the World Health Organization is developing three global health sector strategies to cover HIV/AIDS; viral hepatitis; and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The strategies will cover 2016-2021 and will be finalized for consideration by the 69th World Health Assembly in 2016.

These health issues pose major public health burdens for all regions and will be key elements of the post-2015 health agenda, but progress remains uneven and inequitable.

The session will hear how Member States and partners are approaching new strategic opportunities to change the trajectory of their responses, ensure linkages across the three areas, and make use of emerging innovations.

The panel is emphasising the importance of linkages and integration between HIV, viral hepatitis and STIs. While three separate strategies, IPPF will be emphasising the importance of linkages between HIV, viral hepatitis, and STIs  interconnection between these issues and believes real progress will only be made through simultaneous action and integration.

IPPF has practical experience of integrating services and working with key populations and young people, illustrating that integration is not only possible, and beneficial, but is already happening on the ground.

IPPF will welcomes increased focus on health systems and universal health coverage, however specific health issues such as these require a coordinated and bespoke response. We need to build on the progress that vertical interventions have made.

IPPF will also underline the importance of global action and attention on STIs, which has not received the coverage and support of other strategies. This is a great opportunity to renew focus on STIs, as the prevention, screening and management of STI are key components of HIV prevention and care.

IPPF will emphasise the need for people-centred and rights-based approaches – for example not just looking at viral load suppression, but at the need to ensure quality of life for people living with HIV.  

IPPF will be calling on Member States to be bold and courageous to make real progress in these three intimately intertwined issues. Greater integration of these three health areas has the potential to reduce costs, improve efficiency and lead to better outcomes.