Screening decline
According to data from the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, published in 2022, Morocco would have recorded “a significant drop” in the number of HIV tests over the past three years. Thus, Morocco went from 388,141 tests in 2019, to 300,640 in 2020 and then to 275,439 tests in 2021. “This decline of 30% in three years is mainly attributed to the Covid-19 pandemic” we affirm with the ‘ALCS.
A situation that explains, according to the same source, the fact that in Morocco, in 2021, about one in six people living with HIV are still unaware of their seropositivity. “However, knowing one’s serological status allows people living with HIV to benefit from treatment and no longer transmit the virus”, warns the ALCS in a press release announcing the 9th edition of Sidaction.
In lack of funding
The association, which has been active in the fight against AIDS for 35 years, also notes the drastic decline in funding due to the current economic crisis due to the repercussions of the pandemic. “By directly impacting donor funding, this crisis threatens the action of the association, which is nevertheless relevant”, regrets the ALCS. Working with people living with HIV and the populations most vulnerable to infection by this virus, the ALCS adopts an approach “that allows it to achieve nearly 70% of the national objectives in terms of HIV prevention and detect more than a third of infected people, ”says the same source. Results achieved “while the ALCS only uses 10% of the HIV tests deployed in Morocco”, the association insists.
Trying to make up for the delay caused by Covid-19, the ALCS aims to raise the funds that will enable it to sustain its awareness-raising, screening and care actions for people living with HIV. Alongside the appeal for donations campaign, HIV prevention awareness workshops will be organized in public and private schools. The national screening campaign launched in November 2022 by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection will also continue until December 31.
38 million people affected
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At the global level, UNAIDS aims to eradicate AIDS by 2030. A goal that has, however, been shaken by the Covid-19 pandemic. Currently, AIDS affects 38 million people worldwide. In 2019, 12.6 million people did not have access to life-saving treatment, 690,000 people died of AIDS-related conditions and 1.7 million additional HIV infections were recorded. According to the UN, inequalities stand in the way of ending the AIDS pandemic in the world, “including gender inequalities, aggravated by patriarchy and violence against women”. Also according to UNAIDS, women who are victims of violence from their partners are up to 50% more likely to contract HIV.