Almost half of the children living with HIV are not on treatment. Every 5 minutes, a child (aged 0-14) somewhere in the world dies due to AIDS-related illness. Even though the number of AIDS-related deaths among children and adolescents (aged 0-19) is gradually declining year on year, it is still double that of 2000. 46% of the children living with HIV are not being treated with life-saving drugs – in some countries as many as 75%. Without treatment, half of the children living with HIV will die before they reach the age of two. There are considerable shortfalls in paediatric HIV testing and treatment when compared to adults. This can and must change.

This year, Aidsfonds conducted research in six African countries (Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Uganda, Zimbabwe and South Africa). The findings show a lack of adequate medical care for babies and children, so they are not being tested for HIV or this is happening too late.

The HIV medication available is not specially formulated for children. 40% of the children living with HIV in the countries studied are given medication meant for adults. It is difficult for a child to persevere with the treatment: the dose is too high, the pills too big and they don’t like the taste.

Access our full World AIDS Day report on 'Children being forgotten in the AIDS response' now.