Global Fund Grieves the Loss of Patrick Fouda, HIV Advocate and Youth Leader
10 December 2024
GENEVA – The Global Fund partnership is profoundly saddened by the unexpected passing of Patrick-Alain Fouda, a Cameroonian youth advocate for an HIV-free generation. Patrick, aged 28, passed away on 6 December 2024 in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
“Patrick was an extraordinary activist, one of the brightest voices of his generation advocating for youth living with HIV across francophone Africa,” said Caty Fall Sow, Head of the Africa and Middle East Department at the Global Fund. “Despite his young age, he was already a visionary leader and a tireless champion for the rights of young people living with HIV and the urgent need for improved pediatric care.”
Patrick was born with HIV and learned of his status when he was a teenager. At just 19 years old, he began actively engaging with networks of young people living with HIV in Cameroon. Investing in his development and growth, and through training with the “Grandir Ensemble” network, he honed his leadership and advocacy skills. Patrick became a member of the Global Fund’s Youth Council in 2020. He played a key role in the Global Fund’s Seventh Replenishment campaign, where his efforts brought him face-to-face with world leaders, including President Emmanuel Macron of France and U.S. President Joe Biden.
His talent and determination earned him numerous titles within the HIV advocacy community and beyond; he was hailed as “The Young Giant,” “The Tree that Carries” and “The Lion of Cameroon, the Continent.”
Recently, he founded RAJ AOC, the first-ever regional network for francophone young people living with HIV in West and Central Africa. He also issued a passionate call for greater youth involvement in the fight against AIDS, which was published in the pan-African magazine Jeune Afrique. As an ardent champion of the Global Fund partnership, Patrick navigated complex challenges with unwavering dedication, always advocating for the cause closest to his heart: ensuring access to prevention, treatment and quality care services for children and adolescents. His commitment was both fierce and inspiring.
“The Global Fund expresses its heartfelt condolences to Patrick’s wife and children during this difficult time, as well as our 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 are committed to honoring his remarkable leadership and unwavering belief in a future free of HIV for everyone.”