Challenges of HIV amidst COVID‐19 in Africa: Can we conquer them?

Hasan, Mohammad Mehedi; Mohanan, Parvathy; Emmanuella, Nzeribe; Costa, Ana Carla dos Santos; Ahmad, Shoaib; Mousavi, Sayed Hamid; Essar, Mohammad Yasir

HIV / AIDS is very prevalent in the African continent, especially in east and southern Africa regions, which has the largest infection rates of the world. In the last decade several advances were made in early diagnosis, treatment accessibility and disease prevention programs in Africa. However, the COVID-19 negatively impacted the continuity of the disease control and prevention programs due to the redirection of resources of various areas of health to combat pandemic. Consequently, the most impacted were the educational, testing and supply programs of protection methods and antiretroviral therapy. It is not yet known the impact that the pandemic will have on the future perspectives of HIV / AIDS on the continent, however it is undeniable that to deal with the present and future challenges, urgent measures should be taken by the government and non-governmental entities and different spheres of the society. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.