29/07/2026
The latest UNAIDS report is a stark reminder that the fight against HIV is far from over. In 2025, 1.2 million people acquired HIV and 570,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses worldwide.
This week, researchers, policymakers and advocates from all over the world have gathered in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the 26th International AIDS Conference to shape the next chapter of the global HIV response.
CEMA is proud to be part of these conversations, sharing African evidence that addresses some of the most pressing questions in HIV care—from managing HIV drug resistance, including among pregnant and breastfeeding women, to improving treatment for older people with HIV.
Among the studies presented by our Co-Director, Dr. Loice Achieng Ombajo, were findings from the Ndovu Study—one of Africa's largest multi-country studies on HIV treatment failure among people receiving dolutegravir (DTG)-based treatment, conducted across Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Lesotho. The study found that participants with major DTG-associated drug resistance mutations (DRMs) who continued on standard-dose DTG were at a higher risk of treatment failure.
These findings suggest that switching to an alternative treatment regimen may lead to better outcomes and highlight the urgent need for improved access to HIV drug resistance testing, particularly in resource-limited settings where such testing is not routinely available.
By generating evidence where it matters most, CEMA is helping shape HIV policies and treatment decisions that improve the lives of people living with HIV in Kenya, across Africa, and beyond. Every study shared at brings us one step closer to better HIV care for all.
