Global Governance and HIV/AIDS Policy in East Africa: The Influence of International Organizations
Nasira A. Sitar
Department of Pharmacy Kampala International University Uganda
Satar.nasira@studwc.kiu.ac.ug
ABSTRACT
The HIV/AIDS epidemic has posed significant public health, social, and economic challenges in East Africa over the past three decades. International organizations—including UNAIDS, PEPFAR, the Global Fund, and the World Bank—have played a central role in shaping national HIV/AIDS policies by providing financial resources, technical guidance, normative frameworks, and programmatic support. Their interventions have facilitated rapid scale-up of antiretroviral therapy, prevention of mother-to-child transmission programs, and health system strengthening, contributing to substantial reductions in HIV-related morbidity and mortality. However, reliance on external funding has also introduced challenges, including program fragmentation, limited national ownership, inequities in service delivery, and vulnerability to funding fluctuations. This review examines the mechanisms through which international actors influence policy, the impacts on health systems and population outcomes, and the tensions between donor priorities and national strategies. It further explores policy recommendations to enhance sustainability, equity, and resilience, emphasizing domestic financing, integration into primary healthcare, regional cooperation, and community engagement. The study underscores the need to balance international support with national autonomy for a robust and equitable HIV/AIDS response in East Africa.
Keywords: HIV/AIDS, East Africa, global governance, international organizations, UNAIDS, PEPFAR,
CITE AS: Nasira A. Sitar (2026). Global Governance and HIV/AIDS Policy in East Africa: The Influence of International Organizations. IAA Journal of Biological Sciences 14(1):36-39.