Scientists are trying to find out ways to eradicate HIV, but acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is killing many people in Africa alone. As per a report of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the HIV disease is a leading killer of African teens.

Mani Djelassem from Cameroon is among those African teens who are with HIV. Djelassem came to know about her HIV when she was constantly falling ill. It was her father who, after the death of Djelassem’s mother, told her that she was born with the infection.

Djelassem said when her father disclosed about the infection, she was very sad. She didn’t know what she should do. People were not treating her well. When she found no help, she locked herself in her house, Djelassem added.

Djelassem is not the only African teen who has the disease. A report of UN agencies showed that AIDS is the top killer of teenagers in Africa. About 50% HIV-positive teens of the world between 15 and 19 years old are from South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria Tanzania, Mozambique and India, as per the report. It also showed that only 33% children under 15 with HIV are receiving treatment.

Dr. Pierre Somse, deputy regional director of the UNAIDS regional support team for Eastern and Southern Africa, said the new data has showed that battle against HIV isn’t on right track. “The face of our failure is children and adolescents. These are the face of our failure. So today, given this reality, we are at the intersection of time”, Somse added.