The PNMLS claims to have identified approximately 2,315 new HIV/AIDS infections in the first half of the current year in North Kivu; while last year at the same period, the figures were 1698 new infections. This multisectoral program to fight against AIDS deplores this increase in contamination.
The provincial executive secretary of the PNMLS in North Kivu, Aubin Mongili delivered these figures, Wednesday, September 14, at the end of an exchange with the provincial governor, General Constant Ndima.
Aubin Mongili attributes this resurgence of HIV/AIDS cases to several factors, including the insecurity and irresponsibility of certain individuals.
These new cases are in addition to the 21,300 old cases already placed, at the end of 2021, on anti-retroviral (ARV) treatment.
According to the PNMLS in North Kivu, approximately 138 people have died of HIV/AIDS since last January in this province.
For its provincial executive secretary, HIV/AIDS remains a health emergency in North Kivu, just like COVID-19 or Ebola.
Aubin Mongili believes that efforts must be made to combat it:
“Abandoning HIV and prioritizing new epidemics is doing the wrong thing. Because HIV is not on technical leave, it is evolving and killing. We inform people that ARVs are available at the level of care structures, it’s free”.
On occasion, he encouraged the population of North Kivu to get tested for HIV/AIDS free of charge and to protect themselves in the event of any sexual intercourse to avoid contamination.