Final answer:
The first AIDS treatment program in Africa started in 2001. It marked a significant turning point in making antiretroviral treatments more accessible in regions like Sub-Saharan Africa marred by the epidemic.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first AIDS treatment program in Africa began in 2001. As the pandemic evolved, the need for effective and accessible treatment in the hardest-hit regions, such as Sub-Saharan Africa, grew urgent. Despite earlier discoveries and efforts, it wasn't until 2001 that the number of new infections started to decline, thanks to increased availability of treatments like antiretroviral therapy.
AIDS, caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), first became known in 1981. Originally perceived as a 'gay man's virus', it soon became clear that HIV/AIDS could affect anyone. The social stigmas and lack of funding for education and treatment significantly impaired early response efforts. Nonetheless, advancements in treatment in the developed world turned HIV from a lethal disease into a manageable condition, a change that would gradually extend to Africa.
Unfortunately, during the outset of the AIDS crisis, misinformation and inadequate response exacerbated the situation. However, with increasing international attention, funding, and development of antiretroviral treatments, efforts to manage and treat HIV/AIDS in Africa began to take shape by 2001, marking the start of the first treatment programs.