There is an increase in HIV cases in the Indian Ocean region. Currently, in Reunion, 1,104 people are infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. 51 people were screened in 2023. In the Indian Ocean Zone, there is concern in Madagascar where there is a lack of means to be screened.
As explained by Doctor Catherine Gaud, President of the Association Association Rive: “There has been an overall improvement in the fight against AIDS but unfortunately it is very uneven. There are several countries in the area where the problems are significant. In all countries, there is a problem with the use of drugs and we were interested in the use of intravenous drugs which is very significant in the area and which leads to a considerable number of deaths.
HIV is not over at all, there are still millions of people who become infected, 1.3 million approximately every year. And there is a major increase in contamination in Madagascar and significant under-screening since there are certain provinces where people are not screened altogether due to lack of testing. There are tests.
If we have access to screening, it is still the number 1 goal and then the care, the sub-treatment, the verification that things are going well, we live completely normally. We have many patients who are over 70 or even 80 years old. They live quite a long time. We want equality for our brothers and sisters in the Indian Ocean.”
Health
