Burundi says it has shown the way in fight against HIV/AIDS
Bujumbura, Burundi (PANA) - Burundi's health ministry said on Thursday the country is showing the way in West and Central Africa in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Providing statistics to back its position on World AIDS Day on Thursday, it said 90% of people living with HIV/AIDS in the country had known their status by the end of 2021.
The ministry added in a statement that 98% of patients were on antiretroviral treatment (ARV) and 90% had suppressed their viral load.
Among the factors of this success, the statement cited the government's commitment, the decentralisation of services, and the readiness to apply the recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO) for the prevention and treatment of HIV.
In addition, the statement highlights the role of the country's community-based organizations.
The statement highlighted the effective partnership with, among others, UNAIDS, WHO, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), as well as the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEFPFAR), an international initiative of the US government.
This year's theme calls on stakeholders to "work towards equal access to quality HIV services and opportunities provided by science", the statement said.
Through this theme, UNAIDS is encouraging people to work towards the concrete and proven actions needed to address inequality and help end AIDS.
These include strengthening the availability, quality and adherence of HIV treatment, testing and prevention services so that everyone has proper access.
Other measures are ensuring technology sharing between communities and between the South and the North to allow equal access to new scientific discoveries, and encouraging action to address the particular inequalities that communities face.
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