When the Drugs Do Work: The Medicalised HIV Citizen

Abstract

In March 2013, the media celebrated the case of a baby cured of HIV by aggressive ARV treatment shortly after birth. This treatment was provided because her HIV positive mother had not had the usual prophylactic treatment during pregnancy. Despite a later failure to keep taking ARVs, and evidence that HIV remains in her body, the child now shows no sign of active HIV infection, and so demonstrates ‘functional cure’ (Persaud et al. 2013). HIV organisations worldwide were notably cautious in their responses. The United Kingdom’s first and largest HIV-focused NGO, the Terrence Higgins Trust (THT), commented that the case had little relevance for them since 98–9% of babies born to UK HIV positive mothers were in any case HIV negative at birth because of the UK’s thorough vertical transmission prevention programme (Semple 2013). THT spokespeople tried to move the focus away from ‘cure’, towards the limited applicability of the results (for women diagnosed during labour or babies discovered early to be HIV positive), the uncertainty of later outcomes of this treatment programme, and the importance of better antenatal screening and PMTCT programmes worldwide (Terrence Higgins Trust 2013). Discussing the notion of cure more widely, in the aftermath of a slightly later announcement suggesting ‘functional cure’ of adults if treated in the first ten weeks after infection, THT similarly emphasised the importance of using condoms, getting tested regularly, and continuing to take ARVs if you are positive (Innes 2013).

Today we have the tools we need to confront and overcome AIDS and confine it to the history books where it belongs. We are at a crucial point and must seize the opportunity before us. We must take action now.

President Joyce Banda, Lilongwe, Malawi, 28 June 2013

The (International HIV/AIDS) Alliance welcomes the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) new guidelines on the use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for treating and preventing HIV infection … we do not underestimate the challenges. Millions are still not getting the life-saving tools they are entitled to and at the same time, there is a significant withdrawal of international aid from many of the middle-income countries with large HIV epidemics. … There is still insufficient linkage between HIV testing and counselling and a high drop-out of people enrolled in HIV care and treatment. … This is a programming priority for the Alliance in our global strategy, HIV, health and rights: sustaining community action.

International HIV/AIDS Alliance, 30 June 2013