The AIDS Healthcare Foundation has announced a milestone: delivering life-saving HIV prevention, care, and treatment to 2.5 million people across 49 countries, with 1.3 million in 15 African nations.
It said the achievement “transcends numbers, embodying restored hope, preserved families, and a bold vision for a healthier, equitable world”.
AHF’s contribution to the HIV response, which has enabled countries like Malawi to see a remarkable increase in life expectancy from 46 to 67 years over 25 years, “is profound”.
Children who may have been orphaned due to HIV can now grow up with their parents present, and communities are thriving through access to quality care. This story can be told in several countries, reflecting AHF’s unwavering commitment to transforming lives and achieving global HIV control, according to a statement by AHF on Wednesday.
Founded in 1987 in Los Angeles as the AIDS Hospice Foundation, AHF has grown into the world’s largest HIV/AIDS service organisation. With over 8,000 dedicated staff, AHF delivers expert, compassionate, and non-judgmental care to all, regardless of ability to pay. Supported by robust advocacy initiatives aimed at achieving policy reform, AHF ensures equitable access to HIV and public health services worldwide.
AHF President Michael Weinstein said, “When we began, I never imagined we’d touch 2.5 million lives. This milestone, born of our staff’s courage and our patients’ trust, demands recognition. As George Bernard Shaw said, ‘You see things, and say, Why? But I dream of things that never were, and I say, Why not?’ Our dream—delivering exceptional care to all—has become reality. We’ve stayed true to our principles, proving hope can shine in a challenging world. Yet, our journey continues. AHF is tackling STIs, hunger, homelessness, and the global HIV epidemic with relentless resolve. I’m deeply honoured to serve alongside our extraordinary team.”
Dr. Penninah Iutung, AHF’s Executive Vice-President, noted that “when we launched our first global programmes in South Africa and Uganda in 2002, serving 100 clients in each country, we could never have fathomed” expanding to 13 more African countries and caring for 1.3 million lives across the continent.
“Building on years of advocacy and innovation, AHF Africa now delivers programs that go beyond clinical care to include community-led prevention, equitable access strategies, and pandemic preparedness,” said Iutung. “These successes reflect the deep collaboration with government and civil society partners that has enabled us to reach the most marginalised, advance equity, and ensure no one is left behind.”
Dr. Nombuso Madonsela, who leads AHF’s largest country program as AHF South Africa Country Program Director, added that “being part of this historic milestone is a privilege”.
According to her, AHF South Africa remains steadfast in championing combination prevention, reducing new infections, and ensuring quality service delivery and support for all.
“Through our Community Power Voices (CPV), we amplify the stories and triumphs of those living with HIV. Ending HIV is not just a dream, it’s a promise we are determined to keep,” stated Madonsela.
