The recent visit of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Global Board Members to South Africa marks a renewed commitment by the international non-profit organization in supporting the country’s ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS. As South Africa continues to grapple with the world’s highest number of people living with HIV, the presence of these global leaders sends a strong message of solidarity, hope, and action.
AHF, which has been at the forefront of global HIV/AIDS advocacy and treatment for decades, has played a crucial role in South Africa through its community-based initiatives, access to antiretroviral therapy (ART), and education programs aimed at reducing stigma and empowering those affected.
During the board’s visit, members engaged with local communities, witnessed progress firsthand, and addressed ongoing challenges, chief among them being treatment access, stigma, hunger, and the alarming rise in new infections.
“It’s deeply disappointing that in 2025, we are still seeing so many new HIV infections,” said Terri Ford Wright, a senior member of AHF’s global leadership team. “But even more disturbing is the reality that people already diagnosed and on treatment are being forced off their medication, some because of crime, others because they simply don’t have enough food to take their pills with.”
Despite global funding constraints, AHF has reached a significant milestone of 2.5 million people in care worldwide. This achievement reflects the organization’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that HIV-positive individuals not only have access to treatment but are supported in ways that enable them to live with dignity.
AHF South Africa Board Member Diana Hoorzuk underscored this point: “Medication alone is not enough. People need to feel safe. They need food. They need dignity. That’s why we’ve brought women like Jenny Boyce here, someone who has lived openly with HIV for 25 years. Her story is proof that progress is possible when communities are supported holistically.”
The board’s itinerary included visits to beneficiaries of the Food for Health initiative, an AHF program designed to address food insecurity among people living with HIV. Members also toured community gardens that help patients grow their own food and support sustainable livelihoods. In addition, they spent time with Girls Act, a youth empowerment program that equips adolescent girls and young women with skills, education, and the confidence to make informed health choices.
Dr. Logandran Naidoo, AHF’s National Medical Director in South Africa, drew attention to the critical issue of stigma, especially among the country’s youth. “We still see far too much fear and misinformation around HIV among young people,” he said. “We urgently need to normalize treatment and make it easier for young people to stay on therapy.”
One promising solution lies in innovative treatment methods such as long-acting injectable ART, which allows patients to receive medication monthly or even every six months rather than taking daily pills. These options are being hailed as game-changers in the fight for adherence and better health outcomes.
“South Africa runs the world’s largest HIV treatment program, but we still face enormous challenges with treatment interruptions and new infections,” said Dr. Naidoo. “If NGOs and healthcare providers work together, we can make advanced options like injectables more accessible and affordable.”
As the visit wrapped up, the AHF board left with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of the everyday realities facing South African communities. While the fight against HIV is far from over, the message was clear: with compassion, collaboration, and continued innovation, a healthier future is possible.