As the world is dealing with Covid-19, AFP news agency on Friday (4/6/2021) reported that at least 40 countries, including countries in East and South Africa are now on track to achieve a 90-percent reduction in AIDS-related deaths by 2030. In a report, the Joint United Nations Program on HIV and AIDS said that 37.6 million people worldwide were living with HIV in 2020. Of that total, 27.4 million, or more than three times the number in 2010, received treatment. A condition that is quite encouraging and makes one optimistic that AIDS can be conquered by 2030. As an epidemic disease that destroys the immune system, it is hoped that AIDS can be controlled by 2030. Currently, the number of patients and deaths has decreased. According to the BBC, Thursday (July 17, 2014), the United Nations Aids Agency said that to reduce the rate of the spread of AIDS, further international efforts and cooperation were needed. The steps being taken now have not been able to end the spread of the disease yet.

What needs to be a concern now is how to keep the spirit of overcoming AIDS from being hampered in the current state of the Covid-19 pandemic. The AIDS-free target by 2030 that has been proclaimed must be secured in a pandemic. In fact, amid the coronavirus pandemic like now, a strong immune system is needed. Of course, this is a challenge for AIDS sufferers.

Whether people with HIV and AIDS are more susceptible to Covid-19 is actually still being studied. Citing the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the risk of Covid-19 for everyone is the same, including those who have or do not have HIV. People of all ages who have serious medical conditions may be at higher risk of developing severe illness because they have a weak immune system. Thus, the risk of people with HIV/AIDS being infected with the corona virus is very large. It is hoped that with comprehensive steps amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the AIDS-free target by 2030 can be achieved.