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The annual report of UNAIDS was made public last Thursday. This nth report mentions the serological screening of HIV, the suppression of the viral load as well as the treatments of this disease. Progress has been made in achieving these 90-90-90 goals, but efforts remain to be made on both sides of the world.
Thursday, November 22, 2018 was published the 2018 report of Onusida titled "To know is to be able: to know one's serological status, to know one's viral load". According to Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS, "Knowledge is a real power: the power to make the right choices to stay healthy, but also the power to lead a long and productive life. " This is the title of this report which tells us that in 2017, 75% of people living with HIV were aware of their HIV status against 66% in 2015. This figure is encouraging, since it proves that screening is well followed.
Regarding the number of people living with HIV who receive viral suppression, it has increased, the report says. In 2017, this number is estimated at 47% against 38% in 2015. A huge progress made. Nevertheless, the report points to the difficulties of screening for viral load. A very varied process, reads in said document. " In some parts of the world, it is easy to get viral load testing, because this test is fully integrated into the treatment regimen. But in other countries, it becomes almost impossible with only one viral load screening machine for the whole country. ", writes the executive director of Onusida.
As a mechanism to achieve Targets 90-90-90, the report proposes that the 90% of people on treatment should benefit from a viral suppression, that efforts be redoubled to bring the millions of people who still do not know their HIV status to know it through universal access to HIV testing. "This screening must be as widely accessible as a pregnancy test", we propose in the report. In addition to this, it is also necessary to find ways for the millions of people who do not benefit from viral suppression also to benefit by monitoring the viral load available in Lilongwe and London. "HIV and viral load screening must be universal," reads in said document.
In this report, Mr. Michel Sidibé congratulated the many advances noted in particular through this revolution no less major: "HIV self test kits". Self-screening has made HIV AIDS testing more available because it is confidential. "In addition, viral load testing machines at the point of care bring virological screening close to the people who need it", reads in the report Onusida 2018.
The Executive Director remains aware that access to technology is not enough to permanently defeat AIDS. Through this report, he proposes a merciless fight against discrimination and stigmatization, which today also constitute major obstacles. In addition to this, the report calls for respect for human rights, including the right to health.
It should be noted, however, that despite countless progress, Asia and the Pacific must make sufficient efforts to achieve the 90-90-90 targets by 2020. Eastern Europe and Central Asia are ahead knowledge of HIV serology with 73% of people knowing their serology. What is deplorable, notes the report, is the coverage of treatment which is only 36% and the suppression of the viral load which is only 26%.
The Middle East, North Africa, West Africa and Central Africa are the lagging areas for viral load screening, treatment and suppression. As the cause of this delay, the report states: "Insufficient national funding, poor health systems, fee-based health care, humanitarian situations, and significant stigma and discrimination have undermined efforts to scale up HIV testing and treatment in the region." Discrimination and stigmatization of people living with HIV are also blocking factors, the report says.
Fousseni TOGOLA
Source: The Country
Mamadou Makadji
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