2,416 people are living with HIV, including 256 children

Objectives 95-95-95: assessment and recommendations

The UNAIDS global goal, set for 2030, is to diagnose 95% of HIV-positive people, put 95% of identified cases on antiretroviral treatment (ARB) and achieve an undetectable viral load for 95% of treated patients. In Kaolack, significant progress has been made. Among adults, the first objective is achieved in women, and the second in children. However, gaps remain for the screening of men and children, as well as for achieving the third objective, in particular due to the absence of qualified medical personnel and specific equipment in certain health centers.

Mamadou Y. Thiaw, HIV focal point at the regional district, recommends:

• Strengthen screening strategies for children and men.
• Assign a doctor to the Kasnack health center and an infectious disease specialist to the regional hospital.
• Equip the Ndoffane and Guinguiné centers with Genexpert devices for measuring viral load.

Pediatric issues and regional actions

Dr Moustapha Cissé, pediatrician at the Kaolack regional hospital, highlights the care of 57 children, mainly adolescents, but deplores the difficulties linked to access to suitable medicines and the vulnerability of orphans. The recently created regional pediatrics committee meets every three months to locate cases lost to follow-up and improve communication around pediatric HIV.

Despite progress, EnQuête notes inadequacies, such as a child screening rate of only 40% and varying rates of viral load suppression. The Kaolack region nevertheless remains on a positive trajectory thanks to the involvement of local teams and the support of partners such as ANCS, EpiC/FHI360 and Continus PV.

To ensure better care, a collective effort remains necessary, with particular emphasis on children and men, two categories still under-represented in the successes recorded.