Krishen Samuel, PhD
@krishensamuelphd.bsky.social
Researcher, Writer, Founder & Principal Consultant, EquiDiverse Synergy | Championing Inclusive & Equitable Organisations |📍🇿🇦 | 🏳️🌈 | 📧 krishen@equidiversesynergy.com
This year, someone close to me died of an AIDS-related illness.
I kept asking: ‘How can this still be happening in 2025? With all that we know, all the medications we have? Surely our collective desire and will to eradicate HIV as a major public health threat would have prevailed by now?’
I kept asking: ‘How can this still be happening in 2025? With all that we know, all the medications we have? Surely our collective desire and will to eradicate HIV as a major public health threat would have prevailed by now?’
December 1, 2025 at 10:52 AM
This year, someone close to me died of an AIDS-related illness.
I kept asking: ‘How can this still be happening in 2025? With all that we know, all the medications we have? Surely our collective desire and will to eradicate HIV as a major public health threat would have prevailed by now?’
I kept asking: ‘How can this still be happening in 2025? With all that we know, all the medications we have? Surely our collective desire and will to eradicate HIV as a major public health threat would have prevailed by now?’
I write about real-life heroes facing unimaginable horrors while trying to provide #HIV care in conflict settings.
We cannot stop speaking about atrocities taking place in areas like #Gaza and elsewhere.
@iasociety.bsky.social @msf.ca
@medicalaidpal.bsky.social
www.aidsmap.com/news/jul-202...
We cannot stop speaking about atrocities taking place in areas like #Gaza and elsewhere.
@iasociety.bsky.social @msf.ca
@medicalaidpal.bsky.social
www.aidsmap.com/news/jul-202...
Conflicts and humanitarian crises create new HIV vulnerabilities
Garnering a standing ovation at IAS 2025, Sameer Sah, from Medical Aid for Palestinians, provided a devastating first-hand account of what’s been happening for nearly two years in Gazan healthcare set...
www.aidsmap.com
July 22, 2025 at 9:06 AM
I write about real-life heroes facing unimaginable horrors while trying to provide #HIV care in conflict settings.
We cannot stop speaking about atrocities taking place in areas like #Gaza and elsewhere.
@iasociety.bsky.social @msf.ca
@medicalaidpal.bsky.social
www.aidsmap.com/news/jul-202...
We cannot stop speaking about atrocities taking place in areas like #Gaza and elsewhere.
@iasociety.bsky.social @msf.ca
@medicalaidpal.bsky.social
www.aidsmap.com/news/jul-202...
‘Coming from the most affected region, I’ve let go of the single story that paints people living with #HIV as helpless and tragic…
It’s time we become the authors of our own story.’
Powerful & pertinent remarks from Nomonde Ngema at the closing of #IAS2025.
@iasociety.bsky.social
It’s time we become the authors of our own story.’
Powerful & pertinent remarks from Nomonde Ngema at the closing of #IAS2025.
@iasociety.bsky.social
July 17, 2025 at 2:40 PM
‘Coming from the most affected region, I’ve let go of the single story that paints people living with #HIV as helpless and tragic…
It’s time we become the authors of our own story.’
Powerful & pertinent remarks from Nomonde Ngema at the closing of #IAS2025.
@iasociety.bsky.social
It’s time we become the authors of our own story.’
Powerful & pertinent remarks from Nomonde Ngema at the closing of #IAS2025.
@iasociety.bsky.social
‘Conflict disrupts not just lives, but destroys health infrastructure… Just imagine that you have no functioning hospital, healthcare workers are being killed & you still find the courage to serve.’
Xavier Biggs refers to a powerful session from #IAS2025 in his summary.
@iasociety.bsky.social
Xavier Biggs refers to a powerful session from #IAS2025 in his summary.
@iasociety.bsky.social
July 17, 2025 at 2:14 PM
‘Conflict disrupts not just lives, but destroys health infrastructure… Just imagine that you have no functioning hospital, healthcare workers are being killed & you still find the courage to serve.’
Xavier Biggs refers to a powerful session from #IAS2025 in his summary.
@iasociety.bsky.social
Xavier Biggs refers to a powerful session from #IAS2025 in his summary.
@iasociety.bsky.social
‘Communities are never hard-to-reach; they are underserved.’
Great takeaway message from rapporteur summary for #HIV prevention, by Rayner Kay Jin Tan.
@iasociety.bsky.social
#IAS2025
Great takeaway message from rapporteur summary for #HIV prevention, by Rayner Kay Jin Tan.
@iasociety.bsky.social
#IAS2025
July 17, 2025 at 1:59 PM
‘Communities are never hard-to-reach; they are underserved.’
Great takeaway message from rapporteur summary for #HIV prevention, by Rayner Kay Jin Tan.
@iasociety.bsky.social
#IAS2025
Great takeaway message from rapporteur summary for #HIV prevention, by Rayner Kay Jin Tan.
@iasociety.bsky.social
#IAS2025
Reposted by Krishen Samuel, PhD
#IAS2025 first ever lenacapavir PrEP implementation study will be in Brazil! Will include a mobile PrEP unit in Sao Paolo to best reach communities who will benefit
@iasociety.bsky.social
@iasociety.bsky.social
July 16, 2025 at 11:05 AM
#IAS2025 first ever lenacapavir PrEP implementation study will be in Brazil! Will include a mobile PrEP unit in Sao Paolo to best reach communities who will benefit
@iasociety.bsky.social
@iasociety.bsky.social
‘We no longer stand at a crossroads: we now find ourselves at a precipice,’
@linda-gailb.bsky.social shared in Kigali at #IAS2025 this week.
#HIV experts, including community, are resolute.
We will not go back.
@aidsmap.bsky.social
@iasociety.bsky.social
www.aidsmap.com/news/jul-202...
@linda-gailb.bsky.social shared in Kigali at #IAS2025 this week.
#HIV experts, including community, are resolute.
We will not go back.
@aidsmap.bsky.social
@iasociety.bsky.social
www.aidsmap.com/news/jul-202...
“We will not go back!”: a powerful, resolute response to funding cuts at IAS 2025
One year ago, UNAIDS announced that the HIV response was at a critical crossroads. Apart from a handful of countries, the world was not on track to meet the ambitious 2030 goals: 95% of those wit...
www.aidsmap.com
July 17, 2025 at 8:25 AM
‘We no longer stand at a crossroads: we now find ourselves at a precipice,’
@linda-gailb.bsky.social shared in Kigali at #IAS2025 this week.
#HIV experts, including community, are resolute.
We will not go back.
@aidsmap.bsky.social
@iasociety.bsky.social
www.aidsmap.com/news/jul-202...
@linda-gailb.bsky.social shared in Kigali at #IAS2025 this week.
#HIV experts, including community, are resolute.
We will not go back.
@aidsmap.bsky.social
@iasociety.bsky.social
www.aidsmap.com/news/jul-202...
Reposted by Krishen Samuel, PhD
Impact of PEPFAR cuts on HIV care in Mozambique #IAS2025 with 3rd highest no of PWH & 2nd highest new diagnoses, 67% of funding from PEPFAR in 2022.
- 14% reduction in ART initiations
- 39% increase in ART interruption
- reduced VL testing & viral suppression, esp children
@iasociety.bsky.social
- 14% reduction in ART initiations
- 39% increase in ART interruption
- reduced VL testing & viral suppression, esp children
@iasociety.bsky.social
July 16, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Impact of PEPFAR cuts on HIV care in Mozambique #IAS2025 with 3rd highest no of PWH & 2nd highest new diagnoses, 67% of funding from PEPFAR in 2022.
- 14% reduction in ART initiations
- 39% increase in ART interruption
- reduced VL testing & viral suppression, esp children
@iasociety.bsky.social
- 14% reduction in ART initiations
- 39% increase in ART interruption
- reduced VL testing & viral suppression, esp children
@iasociety.bsky.social
Reposted by Krishen Samuel, PhD
From @solangebap.bsky.social of @itpc.bsky.social, a timely reminder that #artificialintelligence systems in health systems need community data to ensure that data systems produce quality decisions. "Data without people isn't intelligence, it's noise." #IAS2025
July 16, 2025 at 1:16 PM
From @solangebap.bsky.social of @itpc.bsky.social, a timely reminder that #artificialintelligence systems in health systems need community data to ensure that data systems produce quality decisions. "Data without people isn't intelligence, it's noise." #IAS2025
Reposted by Krishen Samuel, PhD
👏 Sameer Sah (@medicalaidpal.bsky.social) delivers a powerful keynote on the devastating state of #Gaza's health system, earning a well-deserved standing ovation at the #IAS2025 special session on #HIV in conflict settings.
July 16, 2025 at 1:51 PM
👏 Sameer Sah (@medicalaidpal.bsky.social) delivers a powerful keynote on the devastating state of #Gaza's health system, earning a well-deserved standing ovation at the #IAS2025 special session on #HIV in conflict settings.
Exciting news from #IAS2025! A once-monthly #PrEP pill option is on the horizon.
MK-8527 was safe, well-tolerated & protective levels were maintained. It’s now headed into Phase 3 trials.
We need as many PrEP options as possible to end the #HIV epidemic.
@iasociety.bsky.social
MK-8527 was safe, well-tolerated & protective levels were maintained. It’s now headed into Phase 3 trials.
We need as many PrEP options as possible to end the #HIV epidemic.
@iasociety.bsky.social
July 16, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Exciting news from #IAS2025! A once-monthly #PrEP pill option is on the horizon.
MK-8527 was safe, well-tolerated & protective levels were maintained. It’s now headed into Phase 3 trials.
We need as many PrEP options as possible to end the #HIV epidemic.
@iasociety.bsky.social
MK-8527 was safe, well-tolerated & protective levels were maintained. It’s now headed into Phase 3 trials.
We need as many PrEP options as possible to end the #HIV epidemic.
@iasociety.bsky.social
Reposted by Krishen Samuel, PhD
‘Policies can save lives.’ Meg Doherty @who.int documents how changes in ART policy — including when it was offered to people with #HIV — have saved many lives.
These life-saving changes have been driven by scientific advances, policy AND activists who urged for changes.
@iasociety.bsky.social
These life-saving changes have been driven by scientific advances, policy AND activists who urged for changes.
@iasociety.bsky.social
July 16, 2025 at 9:45 AM
‘Policies can save lives.’ Meg Doherty @who.int documents how changes in ART policy — including when it was offered to people with #HIV — have saved many lives.
These life-saving changes have been driven by scientific advances, policy AND activists who urged for changes.
@iasociety.bsky.social
These life-saving changes have been driven by scientific advances, policy AND activists who urged for changes.
@iasociety.bsky.social
At #IAS2025, Yazdan Yazdanpanah highlights something we don’t speak about enough: lack of equity in grants & authorship between researchers from high-income countries & those from lower income countries—where research is usually conducted.
Little has changed over a decade…
@iasociety.bsky.social
Little has changed over a decade…
@iasociety.bsky.social
July 16, 2025 at 9:27 AM
At #IAS2025, Yazdan Yazdanpanah highlights something we don’t speak about enough: lack of equity in grants & authorship between researchers from high-income countries & those from lower income countries—where research is usually conducted.
Little has changed over a decade…
@iasociety.bsky.social
Little has changed over a decade…
@iasociety.bsky.social
We have both old & new #HIV challenges according to Jeanne Marrazzo, speaking in her personal capacity at #IAS2025.
But she stated that ‘we cannot compromise when we’ve come so far. We cannot lose heart.’
@iasociety.bsky.social
But she stated that ‘we cannot compromise when we’ve come so far. We cannot lose heart.’
@iasociety.bsky.social
July 16, 2025 at 9:06 AM
We have both old & new #HIV challenges according to Jeanne Marrazzo, speaking in her personal capacity at #IAS2025.
But she stated that ‘we cannot compromise when we’ve come so far. We cannot lose heart.’
@iasociety.bsky.social
But she stated that ‘we cannot compromise when we’ve come so far. We cannot lose heart.’
@iasociety.bsky.social
At #IAS2025, @solangebap.bsky.social from @itpc.bsky.social speaks about how trust was lost when communities lost access to services due to funding cuts.
‘Communities are experts… they can tell us where the little money that’s available needs to be spent.’
@iasociety.bsky.social
‘Communities are experts… they can tell us where the little money that’s available needs to be spent.’
@iasociety.bsky.social
July 15, 2025 at 12:35 PM
At #IAS2025, @solangebap.bsky.social from @itpc.bsky.social speaks about how trust was lost when communities lost access to services due to funding cuts.
‘Communities are experts… they can tell us where the little money that’s available needs to be spent.’
@iasociety.bsky.social
‘Communities are experts… they can tell us where the little money that’s available needs to be spent.’
@iasociety.bsky.social
Intermittent ART may be an important response to current #HIV funding cuts: taking pills 4 or 5 days a week, instead of 7.
This approach maintained viral suppression from #IAS2025.
But: excellent adherence, no prior treatment failure & already virologically suppressed.
@iasociety.bsky.social
This approach maintained viral suppression from #IAS2025.
But: excellent adherence, no prior treatment failure & already virologically suppressed.
@iasociety.bsky.social
July 15, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Intermittent ART may be an important response to current #HIV funding cuts: taking pills 4 or 5 days a week, instead of 7.
This approach maintained viral suppression from #IAS2025.
But: excellent adherence, no prior treatment failure & already virologically suppressed.
@iasociety.bsky.social
This approach maintained viral suppression from #IAS2025.
But: excellent adherence, no prior treatment failure & already virologically suppressed.
@iasociety.bsky.social
‘How can we innovate when everything around us is unstable and hostile?’ Magda Queta asks at #IAS2025.
She shares crucial lessons learnt in challenging contexts: innovation is not just about technology: find new ways of centring community & integrating local knowledge.
@iasociety.bsky.social
She shares crucial lessons learnt in challenging contexts: innovation is not just about technology: find new ways of centring community & integrating local knowledge.
@iasociety.bsky.social
July 15, 2025 at 8:18 AM
‘How can we innovate when everything around us is unstable and hostile?’ Magda Queta asks at #IAS2025.
She shares crucial lessons learnt in challenging contexts: innovation is not just about technology: find new ways of centring community & integrating local knowledge.
@iasociety.bsky.social
She shares crucial lessons learnt in challenging contexts: innovation is not just about technology: find new ways of centring community & integrating local knowledge.
@iasociety.bsky.social
Amazing scientific advances in the pipeline, some presented at #IAS2025 this week.
But long-acting injectable treatment uptake has lagged, even in high-income settings.
How will we use science to stop the epidemic? We need targeted, accessible & affordable solutions.
@iasociety.bsky.social
But long-acting injectable treatment uptake has lagged, even in high-income settings.
How will we use science to stop the epidemic? We need targeted, accessible & affordable solutions.
@iasociety.bsky.social
July 15, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Amazing scientific advances in the pipeline, some presented at #IAS2025 this week.
But long-acting injectable treatment uptake has lagged, even in high-income settings.
How will we use science to stop the epidemic? We need targeted, accessible & affordable solutions.
@iasociety.bsky.social
But long-acting injectable treatment uptake has lagged, even in high-income settings.
How will we use science to stop the epidemic? We need targeted, accessible & affordable solutions.
@iasociety.bsky.social
Reposted by Krishen Samuel, PhD
Our own Mitchell Warren shared a sobering picture of the potential of a world without HIV prevention / reduced access to #PrEP at #IAS2025 satellite: Re-imagining Prevention.
avac.org/resource/inf...
avac.org/resource/inf...
July 14, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Our own Mitchell Warren shared a sobering picture of the potential of a world without HIV prevention / reduced access to #PrEP at #IAS2025 satellite: Re-imagining Prevention.
avac.org/resource/inf...
avac.org/resource/inf...
‘Community action is what gives science its soul, its reach and its relevance. Sustaining HIV progress means investing in people.’
A powerful reminder of what drives #HIV science: community must be at the centre of all that we do.
@rosemarymburu.bsky.social
@iasociety.bsky.social
#IAS2025
A powerful reminder of what drives #HIV science: community must be at the centre of all that we do.
@rosemarymburu.bsky.social
@iasociety.bsky.social
#IAS2025
July 14, 2025 at 5:17 PM
‘Community action is what gives science its soul, its reach and its relevance. Sustaining HIV progress means investing in people.’
A powerful reminder of what drives #HIV science: community must be at the centre of all that we do.
@rosemarymburu.bsky.social
@iasociety.bsky.social
#IAS2025
A powerful reminder of what drives #HIV science: community must be at the centre of all that we do.
@rosemarymburu.bsky.social
@iasociety.bsky.social
#IAS2025
Rousing #IAS2025 opening plenary @iasociety.bsky.social by
@linda-gailb.bsky.social
‘We will not go back… We no longer stand at a crossroads. We now find ourselves at a precipice.’
The global #HIV response is in peril. We need decisive leadership, resilience & the strength of communities.
@linda-gailb.bsky.social
‘We will not go back… We no longer stand at a crossroads. We now find ourselves at a precipice.’
The global #HIV response is in peril. We need decisive leadership, resilience & the strength of communities.
July 14, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Rousing #IAS2025 opening plenary @iasociety.bsky.social by
@linda-gailb.bsky.social
‘We will not go back… We no longer stand at a crossroads. We now find ourselves at a precipice.’
The global #HIV response is in peril. We need decisive leadership, resilience & the strength of communities.
@linda-gailb.bsky.social
‘We will not go back… We no longer stand at a crossroads. We now find ourselves at a precipice.’
The global #HIV response is in peril. We need decisive leadership, resilience & the strength of communities.
Reposted by Krishen Samuel, PhD
"IAS 2025 Preview: Amidst a Worldwide Funding Emergency, HIV Science Moves Forward" via @bodyprohiv.bsky.social
IAS 2025 Preview: Amidst a Worldwide Funding Emergency, HIV Science Moves Forward
Experts share what they’re eager to discuss and learn about at a major research meeting in Kigali, Rwanda: a focus on Africa, devastating funding cuts, and the latest HIV science.
www.thebodypro.com
July 9, 2025 at 7:25 AM
"IAS 2025 Preview: Amidst a Worldwide Funding Emergency, HIV Science Moves Forward" via @bodyprohiv.bsky.social
IAS 2025 is taking place next week in Kigali & virtually. aidsmap is delighted to continue its news reporting under @tht.org.uk's stewardship & its partnership with @iasociety.bsky.social as an official scientific media partner for #IAS2025
www.aidsmap.com/news/jul-2025/coming-soon-news-ias-2025
www.aidsmap.com/news/jul-2025/coming-soon-news-ias-2025
Coming soon: news from IAS 2025
The 13th International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Science (IAS 2025) is taking place in Kigali, Rwanda, and virtually, from 13 to 17 July.
aidsmap is delighted to be continuing its conf...
www.aidsmap.com
July 11, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Reposted by Krishen Samuel, PhD
We're honored that TheBodyPro is an official @iasociety.bsky.social media partner for the upcoming #IAS2025 meeting in Kigali, Rwanda. Here's our preview of what experts in HIV are hoping to discuss and learn more about at this year's meeting: www.thebodypro.com/hiv/ias-2025...
IAS 2025 Preview: Amidst a Worldwide Funding Emergency, HIV Science Moves Forward
Experts share what they’re eager to discuss and learn about at a major research meeting in Kigali, Rwanda: a focus on Africa, devastating funding cuts, and the latest HIV science.
www.thebodypro.com
July 8, 2025 at 6:06 PM
We're honored that TheBodyPro is an official @iasociety.bsky.social media partner for the upcoming #IAS2025 meeting in Kigali, Rwanda. Here's our preview of what experts in HIV are hoping to discuss and learn more about at this year's meeting: www.thebodypro.com/hiv/ias-2025...