Middle East and North Africa experiencing escalating HIV epidemic

A new report has warned of an “escalating HIV epidemic” in the Middle East and North Africa, with new infections surging amid forced displacement and ongoing conflicts in the region.

Frontline AIDS, a global organisation, has analysed HIV prevention and response strategies in its Prevention and Accountability Report for the Middle East and North Africa, finding that across Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia cases have risen by 116 percent since 2010, compared to a 39 percent decrease in new infections globally over the same period.

In Egypt alone, the report found that cases have jumped by 609 percent since 2010. 

The surge has occurred against a backdrop of instability in the region, including ongoing conflicts, forced  displacement and humanitarian crises that undermine governance, damage public infrastructure and disrupt public health services.

Marginalised groups, including homosexuals, transgender people, sex workers, people who inject drugs and prisoners, are disproportionately vulnerable to infection and face social stigma and restrictive laws that bar them from accessing HIV prevention and treatment services.

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According to Unicef, in 2022, only 67 percent of people aged 15 years and older with HIV knew they had been infected, while 50 percent were receiving treatment and 45 percent were able to reduce their viral loads to levels that no longer pose a threat to their health.

Almost 20 percent of the new cases are among young people aged 15-24. 

The report found that the surge is further compounded by shortfalls in funding, with the Middle East and North Africa region receiving just one percent of global HIV funding in 2023 and operating with just 15 percent of funding required for an effective HIV response.

The 85 percent funding gap, along with economic instability and soaring inflation, has severely impeded efforts to tackle the disease and curb infections.

'Left behind'

While highlighting the importance of civil society in driving the HIV response, the report noted that shrinking civic space, restrictive laws and sparse resources across the region impedes its ability to act.

Golda Eid, programmes lead at Frontline AIDS, said the region was “being left behind” and warned that without urgent action and investment, the epidemic could “escalate at an unprecedented rate”.

“Across the region, organisations are already driving change, often with limited resources. With stronger political leadership, increased funding, and a commitment to tackling stigma and discrimination, we can turn the tide. There is still an opportunity to save lives and build a future free from AIDS in the region, but the time to act is now,” Eid said in a statement.

Mohammed El Khammas, head of international actions at Frontline, warned that the figures cited in the report are likely an underestimate.

“The 116 percent increase is linked to very limited testing coverage, and the size of the key affected population is not well known, which significantly reduces its coverage. Moreover, these populations suffer from stigma and discrimination. I am convinced that this percentage will be even more alarming in the coming years if the number of HIV tests increases,” he said.

The report called for urgent increases in investment in HIV prevention by governments in the region and international donors, and the introduction of national strategies and measures to tackle stigma and discrimination.

middleeasteye.net