Abstract
As cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continue to rise, so are the concerns of the effects this pandemic could have on people living with HIV. In response to the pandemic, measures have been put in place by African governments to limit the spread of the virus. We examine the impact of these measures on ensuring progress towards the HIV advocacy of '90-90-90' by 2020, i.e., 90% of all people living with HIV will know their status, 90% of people diagnosed will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 90% of people receiving ART will have viral suppression all by the end of 2020.
Highlights
Three countries allow entry with mandatory 14 days quarantine upon arrival [8]
We examine the impact of these measures on ensuring progress towards the HIV advocacy of “90-90-90” by 2020, i.e., 90% of all people living with HIV will know their status, 90% of people diagnosed will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 90% of people receiving ART will have viral suppression all by the end of 2020
It is essential that African health stakeholders continue to advance efforts to ensure access to HIV care services is sustained during this COVID-19 pandemic
Summary
Three countries allow entry with mandatory 14 days quarantine upon arrival [8]. As of 5 August 2020, twenty-four countries on the continent are implementing lockdown (nationwide lockdown in 13 countries and affected areas lockdown in 11 countries) and eight countries have started a phased easing of the lockdown measures [9]. It has been documented in the literature that local production of medicines ensures enhanced availability and accessibility of medicines [1417] This unprecedented pandemic further reinforces the need for the continent with the majority of HIV/AIDS cases and mortality to develop its capacity to manufacture ARVs and render them accessible and affordable to PLHIV. They should be able to do this at a level that allows competition with foreign pharmaceutical firms
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
