- The organization estimates that there are 100,000 people diagnosed with the virus in the country, of which 73,000 are under treatment
The fight against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Venezuela is limited by the shortage of reagents to obtain diagnoses in public hospitals and due to the little prevention work that the country registers, according to UNAIDS and non-governmental organizations.
The representative of UNAIDS in Venezuela, Adriana Ponte, told EFE that in the country there is a very low availability of viral load tests in free health centers due to the same shortage of reagents, which prevents patients from knowing their levels. of HIV in the blood and evaluate the effectiveness of prescribed drugs.
He explained that the country – where UNAIDS estimates that there are 100,000 people living with the virus, of which 73,000 are in treatment – has medication coverage for HIV-positive people thanks to the subsidy from the Global Fund for HIV, tuberculosis and malaria.
According to these data, the groups most affected by HIV are “men who have sexual relations with men”, trans women, prostituted people, the prison population and members of indigenous communities, such as the Warao ethnic group, who It has a prevalence of 9.6% compared to the 0.5% estimated in the country.
Prevention “has been neglected”
Venezuela was listed in 2016 as a middle-high income country in the World Bank, which posed a problem that year – when the State stopped purchasing HIV medications – since the oil nation was not classified as a low-income State to receive international aid, César Pacheco, director of the HIV Response Unit of the NGO Acción Solidaria, told EFE.
He recalled that several NGOs, in coordination with the Pan American Health Organization and UNAIDS, came together to demonstrate the need for medicines in Venezuela, which registered, according to the UN, an 84% shortage of antiretrovirals in 2018, the year in which The first emergency funds were approved.
Since then, the supply of medicines has improved, infectious disease doctor Mario Comegna told EFE, who stated that currently “there is good distribution and alternative schemes”, but – he warned – “just as important” as giving the medicines is “to carry out prevention campaigns.” ”.
Priority was given (to medicines) due to the issue of humanitarian crisis (…). You invest more in being able to save people who are infected, but the prevention part has as much weight, or more, sometimes,” he said.
The government, which administers the medicines given by the Global Fund and provides them for free, ensures that Venezuela has rapid tests to detect sexually transmitted diseases or infections, including HIV, although these are not always available. in all public hospitals.
With information from EFE
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Interview on the HIV Situation in Venezuela
Interviewer: Thank you for joining us today, Adriana Ponte, the representative of UNAIDS in Venezuela. We appreciate your insights on the ongoing fight against HIV in the country. Can you start by discussing the current state of HIV diagnoses and treatment in Venezuela?
Adriana Ponte: Thank you for having me. Currently, we estimate that there are around 100,000 people diagnosed with HIV in Venezuela, with 73,000 of them receiving treatment. However, the situation is concerning, particularly due to a significant shortage of reagents in our public hospitals, which severely limits our ability to conduct necessary diagnostic tests.
Interviewer: That’s troubling. You mentioned the shortage of reagents; can you elaborate on how that affects treatment and prevention efforts?
Adriana Ponte: Absolutely. The lack of reagents means that many individuals cannot receive viral load tests, which are crucial for determining the efficiency of their treatment. Without these tests, we cannot effectively monitor the progression of the virus or tailor treatment accordingly. Additionally, this shortage compounds the challenges in prevention efforts, as we have very little awareness and outreach regarding HIV in the population.
Interviewer: What do you see as the most affected groups in the context of HIV in Venezuela?
Adriana Ponte: The groups most affected include men who have sex with men, trans women, sex workers, the prison population, and specific indigenous communities, such as the Warao. For example, the Warao have a prevalence rate of 9.6%, which is alarmingly higher than the national average of 0.5%.
Interviewer: It sounds like there are complex barriers to effective treatment and prevention. How has governmental classification impacted international aid and support?
Adriana Ponte: In 2016, Venezuela was classified as a middle-high-income country by the World Bank. This classification led to challenges, as it made it more difficult for us to access international aid and support for HIV medications. Humanitarian priorities shifted towards managing crises, focusing on treating those already infected at the expense of preventive measures.
Interviewer: You mentioned support from organizations like the Global Fund. How is that helping to address the medication shortages?
Adriana Ponte: The Global Fund has enabled us to improve medication coverage for those living with HIV. Although we have seen improvements in the distribution of medicines, it is crucial that we do not neglect preventive measures. Both treatment and prevention are vital to controlling the epidemic.
Interviewer: Dr. Mario Comegna emphasized the importance of prevention campaigns alongside medication distribution. What do you believe should be the next steps taken by the government and NGOs?
Adriana Ponte: We must prioritize the establishment and funding of comprehensive prevention campaigns. Educating the public, especially in high-risk groups, alongside ensuring that diagnostics and treatment protocols are in place, is key. Our aim should be not only to treat those currently living with HIV but also to significantly reduce new infections moving forward.
Interviewer: Thank you, Adriana, for shedding light on this critical issue. Your insights underscore the need for a multifaceted approach to tackle HIV in Venezuela effectively.
Adriana Ponte: Thank you for raising awareness about this important issue. It’s vital that we continue to engage in discussions and advocacy to improve both treatment and prevention outcomes for everyone affected by HIV.
Onte: The Global Fund has played a crucial role in providing medication coverage for people living with HIV in Venezuela. Their support has allowed us to procure antiretrovirals and other necessary medicines, ensuring that a significant number of patients can receive the treatment they need. However, while we’ve seen improvements in the availability of medications, the ongoing shortage of diagnostic reagents remains a major barrier to monitoring and enhancing treatment effectiveness. We need to ensure a comprehensive approach that includes both medication distribution and robust prevention campaigns.
Interviewer: It seems like a multifaceted issue that requires urgent attention. What do you propose as potential solutions to improve both treatment and prevention in the country?
Adriana Ponte: The solutions must involve a multidimensional approach. First, we need to advocate for international support that looks beyond income classifications and recognizes the humanitarian crises we are experiencing. Increasing awareness and access to prevention methods—like safe sex practices and regular HIV testing—is vital. We also need to support community-based organizations that can reach the most affected populations and provide education and resources. Lastly, improving the health infrastructure to ensure the availability of diagnostic tests, such as viral load tests, is essential to tailor the treatment effectively.
Interviewer: Thank you for your insights, Adriana. It’s clear that while progress has been made, significant challenges remain. We hope for a swift improvement in the situation for those living with HIV in Venezuela.
Adriana Ponte**: Thank you for having me. It’s important to continue this dialogue and strengthen our efforts to combat HIV effectively.
