Algeria, UNAIDS Reaffirm Partnership to Strengthen HIV Prevention, Treatment and Public Health Response
Algeria and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation on HIV prevention, treatment and capacity building, as both sides reviewed the country’s national response and discussed measures to strengthen surveillance, awareness and equitable access to healthcare in line with the 2024–2028 national strategy and the Sustainable Development Goals.
By Dr. Hana Saada
ALGIERS — Algeria and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation on HIV prevention, treatment and public health, following talks between Health Minister Mohamed Seddik Ait Messaoudene and UNAIDS Representative in Algeria Soraya Alam.
The meeting, attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Health, reviewed the current state of cooperation between Algeria and UNAIDS, with both parties expressing satisfaction with what the ministry described as a solid partnership and reaffirming their shared determination to expand collaboration in support of national efforts to prevent HIV transmission and improve care for people living with the virus.
According to the ministry, discussions focused on reinforcing cooperation under Algeria’s 2024–2028 National Strategic Plan to combat sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV/AIDS. UNAIDS reiterated its readiness to continue providing technical support for the implementation of the strategy, aimed at strengthening prevention programmes, improving treatment services and enhancing the effectiveness of Algeria’s national response.
The meeting also reviewed regional and international epidemiological developments, including the reported increase in HIV infections in several parts of the world. Both sides stressed the importance of reinforcing disease surveillance systems, expanding prevention efforts and ensuring early diagnosis and treatment to limit transmission.
Discussions further addressed the prevention of HIV, sexually transmitted infections and viral hepatitis B and C, highlighting the need for a comprehensive public health approach centred on awareness campaigns, early screening and improved access to healthcare services.
Ait Messaoudene underlined that prevention remains the cornerstone of Algeria’s response to HIV, calling for intensified public awareness and education campaigns, with particular attention given to adolescents and other vulnerable groups.
The minister also emphasised the importance of strengthening efforts to combat drug addiction linked to the use of psychotropic substances, noting its association with risk factors that can contribute to the spread of infectious diseases. He advocated expanding specialised treatment services for people with substance dependence as part of a broader preventive strategy.
Capacity building for healthcare professionals also featured prominently in the discussions. The minister stressed the need to enhance both initial and continuous medical training to ensure practitioners remain abreast of scientific developments and provide high-quality care for people living with HIV.
Both parties also highlighted the importance of eliminating stigma and discrimination within healthcare settings, reaffirming the need to uphold equality, professional ethics and respect for patients’ dignity while ensuring equitable access to quality medical services.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Algeria and UNAIDS reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation in areas including prevention, professional training, capacity building, technical assistance and knowledge exchange, with the objective of strengthening the national HIV response, advancing public health priorities and supporting the achievement of the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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