Improving access to prevention, testing and treatment of HIV and STIs

Countries and areas in the WHO Western Pacific Region have made considerable progress in preventing and controlling the HIV epidemic. Governments have scaled up access to life-saving antiretroviral therapy.  An estimated 88% of people living with HIV (PLHIV) who know their status in the Region had access to antiretroviral therapy at the end of 2024.

Despite this progress, many obstacles lie on the path to ending the HIV epidemic. WHO Western Pacific Regional Office supports Member States to improve access to prevention, testing and treatment of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) by:

• Strengthening prevention: Advocating for safe sexual practices, including consistent condom use, promoting pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and harm reduction, and addressing stigma and discrimination that hinder access to services.
• Expanding testing: Providing technical support to enhance access to quality HIV and STI testing through facility-based, community, and self-testing approaches, ensuring timely diagnosis and linkage to care.
• Improving treatment and care: Supporting adaptation and implementation of WHO-recommended HIV and STI treatment guidelines to ensure quality, person-centered care and improve retention and viral suppression.
• Enhancing strategic information: Assisting countries in strengthening surveillance and information systems to monitor trends, identify gaps, and guide evidence-based decision-making.
• Integrating services: Promoting integration of HIV, STI, and viral hepatitis prevention and care into primary health care settings to improve efficiency, equity, and sustainability of health services.