Host Ben Plumley speaks with Solange Baptiste Simon and Othoman Mellouk of the International Treatment Preparedness Coalition (ITPC) about their packed treatment pre-conference and concerns that treatment is being sidelined amid heavy focus on PrEP and prevention. They argue the prevention-versus-treatment framing is false, emphasizing a continuum from testing to prevention to treatment, and describe on-the-ground chaos as HIV services are integrated into broader chronic care with overstretched health workers and communities. They discuss a “strange” AIDS 2026 marked by funding cuts and reduced PEPFAR influence, uneven country leadership, and a shift from scientific innovation to challenges of financing, manufacturing, regulation, and equitable delivery of long-acting technologies. They caution against product-driven responses, stress human rights and stigma realities, and conclude that community power, involvement, and resourcing remain central to sustainable solutions.
00:00 Welcome and Guests
01:08 Treatment Preconference Highlights
03:13 Prevention vs Treatment Debate
05:00 Continuum of Care Reality
07:34 Clinic Integration Chaos
10:07 Conference Avoiding Hard Truths
14:58 Post PEPFAR Future
18:39 Product Hype vs Access
22:58 Fiscal Space and Priorities
25:13 Beyond Biomedical Fixes
30:19 2030 Targets Reality Check
32:29 Crossroads and Policy Choices
36:15 Community Hope and Closing
38:23 Final Thanks and Signoff
Guests:
Solange Baptiste Simon
Executive Director, ITPC
Othoman Mellouk
Access to Medicines & Diagnostic Lead, ITPC
ITPC Global
https://itpcglobal.org
AIDS 2026
https://www.iasociety.org/conferences/aids2026
Check Out Ben’s Substack:
https://substack.com/@benplumley1
Join the Conversation!
How do you see the future of global health unfolding? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Subscribe & Stay Updated:
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform. Watch on YouTube & subscribe for more in-depth global health.
#hivaids #HIV #AIDS #globalhealth #AIDS2026 #ITPC
