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December 2, 2023
Befelatanana Hospital: 10 to 15 new cases of HIV per week recorded
At the Joseph Raseta Befelatanana University Hospital Center (CHU JRB) alone, 10 to 15 people per week test positive for HIV. Nationally, 3,000 to 4,000 new cases are recorded each year.
Figures that send shivers down your spine. Madagascar is among the countries where a large number of new cases of HIV are recorded. At the Joseph Raseta Befelatanana University Hospital Center (CHU JRB) alone, 10 to 15 people test positive per week. This was announced yesterday in Ivato during the celebration of World AIDS Day. “Previously, key populations were those most affected by HIV. Today, the situation has changed and all social strata and age categories are affected. When the test is positive, the most important thing is to identify the person who had unprotected sex with the person infected with HIV so that they can benefit from treatment. Screening, the test result and any discussion concerning the result are confidential ,” reassures Dr. Mily Raherivelo, STI/HIV AIDS coordinator at the Ministry of Public Health. Nationally, 3,000 to 4,000 new cases are recorded each year in Madagascar while 14,600 people are on antiretroviral treatment. However, HIV prevalence in Madagascar remains relatively low, at less than 1%.
Sensitization. Particularly this year, the celebration will extend throughout the month of December. The theme is “putting leadership in the hands of communities.” Awareness will be further strengthened to encourage the population to get tested. The Ministry of Public Health and the SE-CNLS work in close collaboration with associations to achieve this objective. Sex tourism is one of the main causes of the spread of HIV. Awareness-raising actions will therefore focus on tourist towns but also in areas where positive cases have been recorded. The fight against stigma and discrimination linked to HIV will also be at the heart of the actions.
Narindra Rakotobe
Befelatanana Hospital: 10 to 15 new cases of HIV per week recorded
At the Joseph Raseta Befelatanana University Hospital Center (CHU JRB) alone, 10 to 15 people per week test positive for HIV. Nationally, 3,000 to 4,000 new cases are recorded each year.
Figures that send shivers down your spine. Madagascar is among the countries where a large number of new cases of HIV are recorded. At the Joseph Raseta Befelatanana University Hospital Center (CHU JRB) alone, 10 to 15 people test positive per week. This was announced yesterday in Ivato during the celebration of World AIDS Day. “Previously, key populations were those most affected by HIV. Today, the situation has changed and all social strata and age categories are affected. When the test is positive, the most important thing is to identify the person who had unprotected sex with the person infected with HIV so that they can benefit from treatment. Screening, the test result and any discussion concerning the result are confidential ,” reassures Dr. Mily Raherivelo, STI/HIV AIDS coordinator at the Ministry of Public Health. Nationally, 3,000 to 4,000 new cases are recorded each year in Madagascar while 14,600 people are on antiretroviral treatment. However, HIV prevalence in Madagascar remains relatively low, at less than 1%.
Sensitization. Particularly this year, the celebration will extend throughout the month of December. The theme is “putting leadership in the hands of communities.” Awareness will be further strengthened to encourage the population to get tested. The Ministry of Public Health and the SE-CNLS work in close collaboration with associations to achieve this objective. Sex tourism is one of the main causes of the spread of HIV. Awareness-raising actions will therefore focus on tourist towns but also in areas where positive cases have been recorded. The fight against stigma and discrimination linked to HIV will also be at the heart of the actions.
Narindra Rakotobe
