1996-2007: Advancement

Before 1996, an HIV diagnosis left people with few options with no known cure or effective treatment. The introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) was a major breakthrough and gave hope to millions of people living with HIV around the world. Those who had access to HAART saw their life expectancy increase by an average of 15 years – unheard of at the time.

Throughout this period, a number of scientific advancements continued to dramatically improve the lives of people living with HIV and of the communities most affected by the epidemic. Beyond HAART, other treatment advances and the development of viral load monitoring and rapid tests for HIV transformed diagnosis and treatment.

Nelson Mandela's son dies

Nelson Mandela announces that his son has died of AIDS-related illnesses.

South Africa treatment programme

South Africa launches its national HIV and AIDS treatment programme thanks to TAC activism.

PEPFAR established

PEPFAR is created, pumping billions more dollars into the fight against the global epidemic.

China’s President visits HIV clinic

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao shakes hands with a person living with HIV.

Botswana’s treatment programme

Botswana becomes the first African country to launch a national antiretroviral treatment (ART) programme.

UNAIDS 3 by 5 initiative

The ‘3 by 5’ initiative aims to provide antiretroviral treatment (ART) to 3 million people living in developing countries.

Nevirapine in South Africa

South African activists win a court case forcing the government to provide HIV drug nevirapine to HIV-positive pregnant women.

Sub-Saharan Africa’s burden

HIV becomes the leading killer of people in sub-Saharan Africa.

Caribbean epidemic

The Pan Caribbean Partnership on HIV/AIDS (PANCAP) is established as HIV becomes the number one cause of death for 15-44 year-olds.

Botswana PMTCT programme

Botswana rolls out a national programme to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

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