Tribune. The health crisis that we have been going through for a year now has had an undeniable impact on the management of the HIV / AIDS epidemic. Screenings have largely declined and are dramatically behind schedule. During the first confinement, it is more than 50% fewer screenings in France and, over the whole year, 10% less.
In some countries, it’s almost 50% less year-round. A delay in detection which can only have a catastrophic impact on care and treatment, one of the first levers to end the HIV / AIDS epidemic by 2030, in France and in the world.
In addition, the initiation of pre-exposure prophylaxis (drug treatment that prevents infection by the AIDS virus in seronegative people) declined in almost the same way: 47% less during confinement, 14% at the end of ‘year. TheOnusida declared that the health crisis could lead in the next two years to a new increase in infections and deaths due to AIDS in the world.
Our lives have been dormant since the start of the crisis on many levels. Some projects are at a standstill and it is difficult to predict what our daily life will be like in the months to come. Large gatherings and festive events have disappeared to make way for a more virtual life. The same goes for Sidaction, which will not be able to take place in its classic form again this year. However, this is an event with major challenges in the fight against HIV / AIDS.
Sidaction
Faced with this daily life of uncertainties, we cannot accept that an epidemic that is already forty years old is already regaining ground. We have had time to adapt to the Covid crisis, and it can no longer be an excuse to watch AIDS regain its strength when all hopes of seeing it die out in the years to come were previously permitted. .
Research efforts must be stepped up to avoid this disaster. Resources commensurate with the challenges must be put in place concerning access to care, prevention, screening and initiation of treatment. Not one more day can be lost in this fight. Those involved in the struggle must be supported, logistically and financially.
The Covid has made it clear that an epidemic never knows borders, and that it must always be treated globally, by strengthening the coordination of actions at all levels. Just as we will not emerge from the crisis due to Covid-19 without carrying out a strong strategy on a global scale, in particular concerning screening and access to vaccines, the fight against HIV must be considered in a global way, in strengthening all the tools and actors of the fight.
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