A Child Dies From AIDS Every 5 Minutes Globally

The World Health Organization said 160,000 children acquired the Human Immunodeficiency Virus in 2021.

The WHO also said a child dies from AIDS-related causes every five minutes globally.

The global health body in a press statement made available to the press noted that ministers and representatives from twelve African countries have committed themselves, and laid out their plans, to end AIDS in children by 2030.

“Currently, around the world, a child dies from AIDS-related causes every five minutes.

“Only half (52 per cent) of children living with HIV are on life-saving treatment, far behind adults of whom three quarters (76 per cent) are receiving antiretrovirals.

“In 2021, 160,000 children newly acquired HIV.

“Children accounted for 15 per cent of all AIDS-related deaths, despite the fact that only four per cent of the total number of people living with HIV are children,” the statement read in part.