Download LogoAngola is facing a global epidemic of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), with sexual transmission being the key to its spread. According to the Demographic Health Indicators Survey (2015/16), the prevalence of HIV in the general population aged 15-49 years is 2% and is higher among women.
The HIV epidemic is mainly concentrated in urban areas, with the highest prevalence and incidence in the eastern and southern provinces of the country, partly influenced by the porous borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo, including Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul and Malanje.
According to UNAIDS (2022), approximately 310,000 people in Angola are living with HIV/AIDS. However, antiretroviral treatment coverage remains inadequate, reaching only 49% of adults and 22% of children in need of treatment.
As part of a broader initiative to accelerate and strengthen collaborative monitoring, technical assistance and surveillance visits during this current budget year, the National Institute of the Fight Against AIDS (INLS) has initiated a series of HIV advocacy field visits in Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul and Malanje provinces in June 2024. Supported by UNAIDS, WHO, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNFPA and civil society organizations such as ACADEJ, ANASO and MWENHO, these visits aim to strengthen HIV prevention and treatment actions among children and adolescents. In addition, the initiative aims to improve the integration of primary care and sexual and reproductive health services and reduce gender-based violence.
According to the director of INLS, Dr. Lúcia Furtado, head of the HIV advocacy delegation, the creation of a multisectoral commission is essential to spread information about the virus, modes of transmission, prevention and treatment. ”We have been working to spread the word about the elimination of vertical transmission program, to minimize the transmission of the virus from mother to child,” she added.
Despite the efforts made so far, it is important to note that several challenges remain in the fight against HIV/AIDS. These include limited investment in community strategies that support health programs, social barriers that hinder adherence to and continuity of diagnosis and treatment, and gaps in multisectoral actions to intensify HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment measures.
To address these challenges and achieve key national and global goals, meetings were held with the provincial governors of Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul and Malanje to discuss relevant data on the impact of HIV in their provinces. The focus was on the need for stronger political leadership for effective prevention measures, access to treatment and adherence support programmes for people living with HIV.
In addition, meetings were held with the provincial health directorates of the three provinces to assess the state of health service delivery and, based on the 7th National Strategic Plan for HIV, STDs and Viral Hepatitis (NSP7), identify actions to accelerate the priorities of each province.
In addition, delegates visited the Kasai refugee camp Lôvua in Lunda Norte, the provincial mother hospital and mother-child centre in Lunda Sul and Malanje to gain insight into the challenges and successes in implementing paediatric and mother-child HIV services.
Consultation and orientation sessions were also held with local civil society organizations in the three provinces. “There is hope that we can change this scenario. We will continue to work together to prevent HIV, test and ensure that no one is left behind,” said Dr. Yoti Zabulon, WHO Representative in Angola, at the event in Lunda Norte, expressing WHO’s renewed commitment to supporting the government and health partners in the fight against HIV/AIDS and in promoting better health for all people in Angola.
On the same occasion, UNAIDS Representative in Angola, Dr. Hege Wagan, stressed that global commitments do not exist without the people doing the work in the community. She continued: “The global goals are there because we know that we can achieve them if we work together. So here we are listening to how we can work better together, as the United Nations, civil society and government.”
During the HIV information meetings, twelve additional provinces with an HIV prevalence of 2% or higher will be visited. The aim is to disseminate the NSP7 and to provide ideas to reduce the number of new infections, especially among children and young people.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of the World Health Organization (WHO) – Angola.
