The Long Road: HIV/AIDS Treatment Disparities Across The Decades

This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. KAmira Serine Matmatte, a 22 year old Algerian medical student at the University of Constantine III Salah Boubnider. She is affiliated with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed in this piece belong strictly to the writer and do not necessarily reflect IFMSA’s view on the topic, nor The European Sting’s one.

Since its first identification in 1981, the journey of HIV/AIDS treatment has been marked by remarkable scientific achievements, but also persistent healthcare disparities. While scientific innovation has created increasingly effective treatments, transforming HIV from a death sentence into a manageable chronic condition, significant gaps in treatment availability and accessibility continue to affect millions worldwide.

The epidemic of the early 1980s left medical professionals helpless, as countless lives were lost due to the lack of effective treatments. The breakthrough came in 1987 with the introduction of azidothymidine( AZT), the first antiretroviral medication marking the first real weapon against the virus. Sadly, this discovery came with significant drawbacks – its high cost and debilitating side effects such as severe anemia and liver complications.The revolutionary development of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) was seen in the 1990s, which marked a turning point dramatically reducing mortality rates in developed countries. 

Despite these medical advances, a paradoxical reality was created: While wealthy nations quickly adopted new therapies, many developing countries struggled with limited access to medications, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, and insufficient funding. The establishment of UNAIDS and the Global Fund brought hope and helped address these disparities, channeling billions of dollars into treatment programs worldwide. However, the gap between those who can access proper HIV care and those who can’t remains today, bringing the deep-rooted inequalities in global healthcare delivery to light.

The introduction of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in 2012 marked another significant milestone, offering a powerful prevention tool. However, its availability and affordability continue to be limited in many regions. Recent developments in long-acting treatments and injectable medications show promise in addressing adherence challenges, but their high costs create new access barriers.

Four decades of HIV/AIDS treatment advances paint a complex picture of progress and inequality. Today, while some countries approach the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets (95% diagnosed, 95% on treatment, 95% virally suppressed), others struggle with basic healthcare delivery. Stigma, discrimination, and lack of healthcare infrastructure remain significant obstacles in many regions, particularly affecting marginalized communities.

About the author

Amira Serine Matmatte is a 22 year old Algerian medical student at the University of Constantine III Salah Boubnider. She is very passionate about youth advocacy and global health.