Global Fund mourns the lack of Patrick Fouda, HIV advocate and youth leader – update

Global Fund mourns the lack of Patrick Fouda, HIV advocate and youth leader

December 10, 2024

– The Global Fund Partnership is deeply saddened by the unexpected death of Patrick-Alain Fouda, a Cameroonian youth activist for an HIV-free generation. Patrick, 28, died on December 6, 2024 in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

“Patrick was an extraordinary activist, one of the clearest voices of his generation, advocating for youth living with HIV in French-speaking Africa,” said Caty Fall Sow, director of Africa and the Middle East on the Global Fund. “Despite his young age, he was already a visionary leader and a tireless advocate for the rights of young people living with HIV and the urgent need to improve pediatric care.”

Patrick was born with HIV and discovered about his status when he was an adolescent. At the age of 19, he began actively working with networks of young people living with HIV in Cameroon. By investing in his development and development and thru training within the “Grandir Ensemble” network, he improved his leadership and advocacy skills. Patrick became a member of the Global Fund Youth Council in 2020. He played a key role within the Global Fund’s Seventh Replenishment campaign, where his efforts brought him face-to-face with world leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron and US President Joe Biden.

His talent and determination have earned him quite a few titles within the HIV community and beyond; he was hailed as “The Young Giant”, “The Tree That Carries” and “Lion of Cameroon, the Continent”.

He recently founded RAJ AOC, the first-ever regional network of young French-speaking people living with HIV in West and Central Africa. He also made an impassioned appeal for greater youth involvement within the fight against AIDS, which was published in a Pan-African magazine Young Africa. As a staunch advocate of the Global Fund partnership, Patrick has tackled complex challenges with unwavering commitment, at all times advocating for the cause closest to his heart: ensuring access to prevention, treatment and high-quality care services for kids and young people. His commitment was each fierce and galvanizing.

“The Global Fund offers its sincere condolences to Patrick’s wife and children at this difficult time, and its deepest sympathies to his friends and colleagues,” said Peter Sands, executive director of the Global Fund. “Patrick’s passing is a profound loss. He left us far too soon, but we want to honor his extraordinary leadership and unwavering belief in an HIV-free future for all.”