Let’s fight to end HIV and Aids

CITIZEN in Action Southern Africa (CIASA) joined the rest of the world in commemorating and observing the World Aids Day on Wednesday December 1, 2021, under the global theme End Inequalities, End Aids.

CIASA took this as an opportunity to generate an increased awareness on the need to end inequalities in HIV response through upscaled HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.

This commemoration presented a unique opportunity to reflect on the prevailing challenges and gaps in the current initiatives to end Aids by 2030.

This year’s observance come at a time when the world is still under siege from COVID-19 pandemic which has somewhat reversed the gains achieved in attaining the 95-95-95 targets.

We, therefore, remind the government of Zimbabwe, partners and other interested stakeholders that as part of the COVID-19 recovery path, the country should reflect on possible ways to address the challenges presented by COVID-19 pandemic.

Global reports have revealed that people living with HIV (PLWHIV) may be at increased risk of worse outcomes from COVID-19 if they are not adhering to treatment or live with certain co-morbidities than people without HIV.

While the number of new HIV infections is decreasing in Zimbabwe, many subpopulations remain at high risk of infection due to lack of or limited access to decentralised HIV prevention, treatment, care and support during COVID-19-induced lockdowns.

For PLWHIV and other groups which are at higher risk of contracting HIV, including persons who inject drugs, the risk of COVID-19 infection increases if they have certain comorbidities which may result in increased disease burden.

An additional concern for PLWHIV is the double stigma that have arisen for PLWHIV who also tested positive for COVID-19 resulting in a double tragedy.

As public health and healthcare workers try to tackle the needs of the populations they serve, they should realise the need for a change in infrastructure that will include more efficient partnerships between public health, healthcare, and HIV programmes including partnering civic society organisations (CSOs) in HIV and Aids response programming.

PLWHIV that also have underlying comorbidities are at great disadvantage from the negative consequences of COVID-19 pandemic.

For those that may test positive for both HIV and COVID-19, there is increased psychosocial and mental health burdens stemming from stress and isolation, as well as experiencing additional barriers that inhibit access to care, which relegate them to become more disenfranchised.

As we commemorate this World Aids Day, it is very important during this era of COVID-19 pandemic for these challenges and barriers to be addressed so that these PLWHIV can maintain continuity of care, as well as, their social and mental support systems.

Our messages to the HIV and Aids responders:

There is need for integration of mental health, emotional wellbeing and psychosocial support services into HIV-related interventions to enhance attainment of the 95-95-95 fast-track targets.

Government should put in place mechanisms for undisrupted adherence to ART, psychosocial support and mental wellness during COVID-19.

All stakeholders, CSOs included, should promote messages related to stigma reduction for PLWHIV. CIASA information department