The ALCS organized training on #Mpox for healthcare workers. Provided by Professor Mustapha Sodqi, the training took place on March 10, 2023 in Bouznika.
The 14th National Conference of the Association for the Fight against AIDS (ALCS) held from March 10 to 12 in Bouznika made it possible to take stock of the evolution of the epidemic throughout the world and in Morocco. The aim was also to raise awareness of early prevention as well as screening.
The epidemic of Covid-19 concealed another: that of the HIV, still relevant. Prevention and eradication were also at the heart of the 14th National Conference on the Association for the fight against AIDS (ALCS) held from March 10 to 12 in Bouznika. Organized around the themeThe end of AIDS in 2030, is it possible?by the Rabat and Casablanca branches, this meeting brought together nearly 400 participants to reflect on the directions to follow to eradicate the epidemic by 2030. Deadline set by l’ON. The meeting was an opportunity to take stock of the evolution of the epidemic throughout the world and in Morocco. The aim was also to raise awareness of early prevention as well as screening.
23,000 people live with the virus in Morocco
The Moroccan NGO ALCS has always claimed that prevention is a key factor in eradicating and treating HIV – or the human immunodeficiency virus, so that it does not evolve into an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, AIDS, which corresponds to the final stage of HIV. This is why this 14th edition of the National Conference was an opportunity to take stock of the current situation in Morocco and around the world. According to the Moroccan Ministry of Health and Social Protection andUNAIDS, the figures remain grim for the year 2021: 830 people were newly infected with HIV compared to 1.5 million worldwide. As for deaths, they amount to 650,000 worldwide, including 390 in Morocco. In total, 23,000 people live with this virus in the Kingdom compared to 38.4 million worldwide. Note that despite popular belief, HIV is transmissible but not contagious.
Obstacles in the fight against the disease
“There are still 10 million people in the world who do not receive treatment”, laments Pr Hakima Himmich, activist and founder of the ALCS. And to add that despite the confinement due to the Covid-19 epidemic, the NGO continued to support the people with HIV so that they continue to follow their treatment. Being HIV-positive is therefore neither definitive nor inevitable due to scientific advances (antiretroviral treatment (AVR) and post-exposure treatment (TPE), etc.). However, this lack of care is due, according to Mehdi Karkouni, president of the ‘ALCS, to various obstacles, namely gender inequalities, stigmatization and discrimination of HIV-positive people and populations at risk as well as poor early detection. In addition to raising awareness of the importance of early detection, the ALCS is working to achieve the goal of 0 deaths by 2030. “We can reach this goal of 0 deaths since the treatment exists and it is accessible”, notes Mr. Karkouni.
Margaux Nourry (Trainee journalist)
