BY BETELHEM BEDLU
The HIV and AIDS epidemic is one amongst the world’s most serious public health challenges that put the lives of individuals, households and countries in danger for more than three decades. To the worst, the disease does not affect only the health of individuals; rather it also impacts the socio-economic development of nations.
According to studies, many of the countries hardest hit by the epidemic also suffer from other infectious disease, food insecurity, and similar serious problems. However, the commitment that is being witnessed to stop new HIV infections and ensuring that everyone with HIV has access to HIV treatments has shown promising result.
Globally, there were an estimated of 38 million people infected with HIV/AIDS in 2019. Of these, 36.2 million were adults and 1.7 million were children. Since the onset of the outbreak of the pandemic, over 32.7 million people have died from AIDS, according to UNAIDS.
Following the 33th World AIDS Day celebration held under the theme “Global solidarity, shared responsibility” Ministry of Health (MoH) along with HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Office yesterday facilitated a sideline discussion forum.
Speaking on the occasion, Tsegereda Kifle (Dr.), General Director of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Office said that HIV is not just a health issue; but it has also been amongst country’s social and economic challenge though, through the concerted efforts of stakeholders, encouraging achievements have been seen.
However, the frequent change in national and health agendas, including the COVID-19 pandemic have severely influenced the treatment, care and support program of HIV/AIDS especially on children and adolescents.
As to her, owing to financial restriction to address the general population, it was hard to sustain the positive achievements that have been registered so far. Therefore, priority is given to address targeted key and priority populations – children, adolescents and women are the major parts.
Combination prevention for adolescent girls, youth and women is among the six pillars of HIV prevention in the National HIV Prevention Road Map and Strategic Plan.
Under this pillar, various activities have been putting in to practice. Several concerned institutions have been playing their parts to achieve the plan. Of the activities performed, universities have started enrolling HIV positive students and adolescents in the nearby colleges, and national children and adolescents association were established.
Similarly, assessment on intensifying response for multi-faceted needs of adolescents and young people living with HIV and AIDS was done, sensitization workshop for children and adolescents and partners on the findings was conducted and peer support group session was also conducted in hospitals but currently interrupted due to COVID -19 pandemic.
Most importantly, a psycho social support especially addressing problem of adherence and disclosure for improving viral load is on implementation in high load health facilities.
However, the vulnerability of women is still surpasses men, and increases triple times for various reasons. Among the main reasons one is the low economic status of women. This factor pushes the women to have multiple sex partners.
Apart from their natural vulnerability to get easily infected, most women have the tendency to visit health centers for reasons such as pregnancy which helps them to know their health status.
Dr Eden Alemayehu Medical Director of Zewditu Hospital said around 7680 patients are receiving care and treatment at the Hospital. Of which, 250 are below the age of 15.
Even under the Coronavirus pandemic pressures, the Hospital has been striving to sustain its treatment program, reduce the vulnerability of patients and has been working beyond the regular working hours including weekends.
Taking the impact of inconsistency treatment on their health in to account, it has been giving medications to patients in six month intervals, as to the Medical Director.
Moreover, psycho social support is being provided for the patients. Efforts are also being put to address the psycho social service using internet, thus she called on concerned bodies to play their role in making the future of patients brighter.
It was mentioned that low uptake of HIV testing among children and adolescents, failure to follow up the case among young people, interruption of peer support group session (psychosocial support) due to COVID-19, decline of nutrition support by partners as well as shortage of resource to sustain psychosocial support program as the major challenges.
The Ethiopian herald December 4/2020
