By Chronicles Nyakato
Benin has made remarkable strides in its battle against HIV/AIDS, cutting new infections and AIDS-related deaths by half since 2010.
But despite the country’s progress, only a fraction of children living with the virus are receiving treatment, a stark contrast to the advancements made for adults, according to a senior UNAIDS official.
Winnie Byanyima, the Executive Director of UNAIDS, during her recent visit to the West African nation, commended Benin for its achievements, particularly in expanding treatment access and preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
“Benin is leading the way in the fight to end AIDS,” Ms. Byanyima said in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
“The number of people receiving treatment has almost tripled, and AIDS-related deaths have been cut by half.”
One of Benin’s most notable successes, Ms. Byanyima said, is in preventing the transmission of the virus from mothers to their babies.
“The percentage of pregnant women receiving treatment to prevent HIV transmission to their babies has jumped from 13 percent to 99 percent,” she said. “Bravo, Benin!”
However, Ms. Byanyima emphasised that there is a troubling gap when it comes to children living with HIV.
“Only 36 percent of children living with HIV are on treatment, compared to 86 percent of adults,” she noted. “We must do more to ensure Benin’s children are not left behind in the AIDS response.”
This disparity represents a significant challenge in the country's quest to eradicate AIDS. While a vast majority of adults are benefiting from treatment, children—who are among the most vulnerable—are still being overlooked.
Ms. Byanyima urged the government and international partners to close this treatment gap, warning that failure to do so could undermine the country’s broader efforts.
“Benin has shown it can achieve great things in this fight,” she said.
“Now is the time to ensure all, including the children, share in these successes.”
Benin’s gains in combating HIV have drawn praise from global health organizations, but the call to action for pediatric HIV care underscores the need for continued attention.
The country’s progress serves as both an inspiration and a reminder that the fight against AIDS is far from over.
As the world edges closer to the 2030 target to end AIDS as a public health threat, Benin must now ensure that its children—along with adults—receive the care they need to thrive in the fight against the virus.