In 2002, The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) launched the AIDS Therapeutic Treatment Now campaign at the XIV International AIDS Conference in Barcelona, Spain. Through protest, AHF demanded that pharmaceutical companies and governments provide better, more affordable access to life-saving HIV drug treatment for lower-income people.
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In July 2002, AIDS Healthcare Foundation advocates and allies took to the streets of Barcelona during the 14th Annual International AIDS Conference in protest. The theme of the conference was “Knowledge and Commitment for Action”, and AHF followed suit by spearheading the global fight for HIV/AIDS care. AHF pushed for equitable treatment access and policy changes to ensure no one was left behind.
The campaign birthed slogans such as, “Medication for Every Nation!” and “AIDS Treatment Now!” which summarized the worldwide outcry for accessible generic medications. These powerful slogans became rallying cries, echoing the urgent need for action and illustrating the widespread demand for affordable treatment options on a global scale.
The AIDS Therapeutic Treatment Now campaign later traveled to Bangkok, Thailand, in 2004 for the XV International AIDS Conference, and then to Toronto, Canada, in 2006 for the XVI International AIDS Conference, where it continued advocating for improved access to HIV/AIDS treatment and policy reforms to address the needs of affected communities.
Reflecting on AHF’s global start and its enduring impact acts as a reminder of the power of advocacy and collective action in driving meaningful change and ensuring access to life-saving treatment for all those affected by HIV/AIDS.
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