- The president of the organization, Eduardo Franco, recalled that in Venezuela there is a shortage of reagents and tests to detect the virus in health centers.
Eduardo Franco, president of the Mavid Carabobo Foundation, indicated that greater support is needed from the Venezuelan authorities so that people can have access to tests that diagnose the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
He stressed that in the country there are few reagents to diagnose the condition. He reported that the same situation occurs with tests to detect the virus in health centers.
“The idea is that the vast majority of people who may be infected with HIV can know their serology, can be treated in time and receive the antiretroviral treatment that we have in the country and prevent them from reaching the AIDS stage and dying,” Franco said in an interview with Union Radio on October 30.
He maintained that those who receive their treatment can live “a normal life” and new infections can be prevented.
He added that thanks to international cooperation in the country there is treatment until March 2025 and guaranteed medicines for at least the next three years.
Franco recalled that the latest studies carried out mention that in Venezuela there are more than 110 thousand people infected with HIV and more than 74 thousand are receiving treatment.
A fight limited by scarcity
On October 26, UNAIDS and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) denounced that the fight against HIV in Venezuela is limited by the shortage of reagents to obtain diagnoses in public hospitals and due to the little prevention work recorded by the country.
The representative of UNAIDS in Venezuela, Adriana Ponte, told the EFE news agency 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 know their HIV levels in their blood and evaluate the effectiveness of prescribed drugs.
He explained that the country 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, people who are dedicated to prostitution, the prison population and members of indigenous communities, such as the case of the Warao ethnic group, which has a prevalence of 9.6% compared to the 0.5% estimated in the country.
The need for international aid
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 nation was not classified as a low-income State to receive aid. internationally, 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.” ”.
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### Interview with Eduardo Franco, President of the Mavid Carabobo Foundation
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Eduardo. Can you tell us about the current situation regarding HIV testing in Venezuela?
**Eduardo Franco:** Thank you for having me. The situation is quite alarming. We are facing a severe shortage of reagents and tests necessary for diagnosing HIV in health centers across the country. This lack of resources makes it incredibly difficult for individuals who may be infected to get tested and treated in a timely manner.
**Interviewer:** What impact does this shortage have on people living with HIV in Venezuela?
**Eduardo Franco:** The lack of accessible testing means that many people remain unaware of their HIV status. Without this critical knowledge, they cannot receive the appropriate antiretroviral treatments, which are available until March 2025 thanks to international cooperation. Ultimately, this can lead to more advanced stages of the disease, like AIDS, and increase the risk of death.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that the number of people diagnosed is significant. Can you elaborate on the statistics regarding HIV in Venezuela?
**Eduardo Franco:** Yes, according to recent studies, there are over 110,000 people living with HIV in Venezuela, with around 74,000 currently receiving treatment. However, we need to ensure that everyone has access to testing so they can know their serology and receive treatment promptly.
**Interviewer:** What do you believe needs to be done to address this situation effectively?
**Eduardo Franco:** We need greater support from Venezuelan authorities to improve access to diagnostic tests and reagents. Raising awareness and prevention efforts are also crucial. If we can ensure that individuals receive their treatments, they can lead normal lives and help prevent new infections.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what role do international organizations play in this crisis?
**Eduardo Franco:** International organizations, such as the Global Fund, have provided crucial medication coverage for HIV-positive individuals in Venezuela. This support is vital, but without local resources and infrastructure improvements, it won’t be enough to turn the tide in our fight against HIV.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Eduardo, for your insights on this critical issue.
**Eduardo Franco:** Thank you for shedding light on this situation. It is important for people to be aware and advocate for change.
