#18 | WHO Updates HIV Clinical Management Guidelines to Improve Global Treatment

In this episode of the GMJ Podcast — the official podcast of the Georgian Medical Journal, we examine the updated recommendations released by the World Health Organization on HIV clinical management.The new guidance reflects major advances in HIV treatment science and aims to improve outcomes for people living with HIV while accelerating global progress toward ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. The updated recommendations focus on optimizing antiretroviral therapy, improving prevention of mother-to-child transmission and strengthening tuberculosis prevention among people living with HIV. WHO reaffirmed that dolutegravir-based antiretroviral regimens remain the preferred treatment option, due to their high effectiveness, strong resistance barrier and good tolerability. The guidance also introduces updated recommendations for second-line treatment, now favoring darunavir/ritonavir-based regimens over previously recommended protease inhibitors. In addition, the new recommendations highlight:• simplified antiretroviral treatment regimens• improved management of vertical HIV transmission• shorter tuberculosis preventive treatment options• the role of long-acting injectable antiretroviral therapies• strengthening integrated HIV and TB care servicesThese updates reflect emerging clinical evidence and aim to make HIV care simpler, safer and more accessible, particularly in resource-limited settings where most people living with HIV receive treatment.The WHO emphasizes that improved treatment strategies, combined with expanded prevention programmes and earlier diagnosis, remain essential for achieving the global goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.Original WHO source discussed in this episode:https://www.who.int/news/item/07-01-2026-who-releases-updated-recommendations-on-hiv-clinical-managementThe GMJ Podcast accompanies peer-reviewed publications and global health policy discussions published in the Georgian Medical Journal.Journal website:https://gmj.ge/index.php/pub/index#გიორგიფხაკაძე #drpkhakadze #sheniekimi