At Stg. Building Bridges…Saving Lives, every day we strive to build an HIV-free future. But to understand where we are and where we’re going, it’s essential to look back and grasp the historical context of HIV. It’s a story of challenges, stigma, innovative science, and, above all, unwavering human resilience.

The Early Days: A Mysterious Illness

In the early 1980s, a mysterious illness began to appear in communities, primarily affecting gay men, intravenous drug users, and hemophiliacs. Characterized by rare infections and a collapse of the immune system, it was initially known as GRID (Gay-Related Immunodeficiency). Fear and confusion were rampant, and stigma began to deeply take root.

In 1982, the disease was officially named Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). It was a time of great global anxiety, but also the beginning of unprecedented mobilization by activists and scientists.

The Discovery of the Virus: A Light in the Darkness

Just a year later, in 1983, scientists in France and the United States identified the virus that caused AIDS: the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). This discovery was a turning point, allowing for the development of screening tests and opening the door to treatment research.

The 80s witnessed a devastating increase in the number of cases and deaths, prompting the global community to take action. Initial campaigns focused on prevention through education, promoting condom use and awareness of transmission routes.

The Era of Hope: Transformative Medical Advances

The 1990s brought a ray of hope with the development of the first antiretroviral drugs. However, regimens were complex and had severe side effects. The real change came in 1996 with the introduction of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART), which transformed HIV from a death sentence into a manageable chronic condition. AIDS-related deaths dramatically decreased in countries where access to these drugs was possible.

This breakthrough showed that science could offer solutions, shifting the conversation from despair to management and living with HIV.

The 21st Century: From Survival to Undetectable and Prevention

The new millennium has witnessed even more remarkable advances:

ART Simplification: Treatments have become simpler, with fewer pills and fewer side effects, improving the quality of life for PLHIV.
Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U): One of the most revolutionary breakthroughs. It has been scientifically proven that a person with HIV who is on ART, has an undetectable viral load, and maintains that viral load, cannot sexually transmit HIV. This has been crucial in reducing stigma and empowering PLHIV.
PrEP Prevention: Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) allows HIV-negative individuals at high risk to take a daily pill to prevent infection, offering a new and powerful prevention tool.

Today, the fight against HIV is not just about treatment, but also about prevention, stigma eradication, universal access to services, and health equity. At Stg. Building Bridges…Saving Lives, from Meerzorg to the most remote communities in Suriname, we continue to build bridges, leaving no one behind. The history of HIV teaches us that with science, activism, and compassion, we can overcome any challenge.