J1 Praia: The Regional Meeting on Revitalising the Response to HIV/AIDS in West and Central Africa is currently taking place in Praia, Cape Verde. The event takes place from 30 May to1 June 2022. The opening ceremony was chaired by the Prime Minister of Cape Verde in the presence of the First Lady.
The Civil Society Institute for Health in West and Central Africa is organising this exchange framework which brings together technical and financial partners, decision-makers, programme beneficiaries and civil society actors to revitalise the response to HIV in a changing context.
The elimination of barriers and other constraints to equitable access to health services and better care for populations vulnerable to HIV is a concern in West and Central Africa. The Civil Society Institute for Health in West and Central Africa, UNAIDS, the Global Fund, decision-makers and civil society actors each intend to work towards this goal.
It is in this sense that this meeting: Dakar to Praia: Revitalising the response to HIV in a changing regional context was organised following the Dakar summit on HIV in West and Central Africa, the outcome of which called for action.
We must strengthen governance, overcome inequality, fight stigma and all forms of violence for the respect of human dignity.
Dr José Ulisses Correia e Silva, Prime Minister of Cape Verde
The Prime Minister of Cape Verde, who chaired the regional meeting, highlighted Cape Verde's efforts to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
Mr. Daouda Diouf, Executive Director of the Civil Society Institute, invited the Institute's member countries to draw inspiration from the successful model of Cape Verde.
It is not acceptable that in the West African region, women continue to transmit HIV to their children, especially since treatments exist to prevent it. For the time being, it is necessary to co-create strategies that take into account all segments of the population, especially the vulnerable.
Daouda Diouf, Executive Director of the Civil Society Institute for HIV and Health in West and Central Africa.
An appeal heard: UNAIDS, the Global Fund, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Expertise France, the technical and financial partners reiterated their commitment to support and accompany the Civil Society Institute in its daily work.
The government of Luxembourg devotes 15% of its official development assistance to global health.
Thomas Barbancey, Chargé d'affaires at the Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
In addition, the issue of equitable remuneration of civil society actors in the region is of concern to the Executive Director of the Institute. Mr. Daouda Diouf. Some of them receive 15,000 CFA francs a month," says Mr. Diouf, who is calling for a more equitable treatment of these actors who work on a daily basis in the response to HIV.
The regional meeting brought together more than 200 experts and stakeholders from various backgrounds. During the different sessions, discussions will focus on : Paediatric HIV, health systems financing, access to treatment for vulnerable populations.
The aim is to adapt the response to HIV among vulnerable populations to African realities and to strengthen the mobilisation of donors around these issues.
