By Eleanor Frederick MSc. MPH
In order to adhere to social distancing requirements, the AIDS Programme Manager Delcora Williams says “no HIV tests are being conducted by the HIV clinic until further notice”.
She states further that, “An HIV test is a very intimate thing — the counsellor sits on one end of the table and the individual sits on the other. There’s not even a distance of two to three feet separating the person accessing services, so therefore that service cannot be offered at this moment.”
Ms Williams also said that people can still access condoms and the clinic will continue to provide patients with care and treatment.
UNAIDS urged countries to stay focused on HIV prevention during the Covid-19 pandemic. In some countries, like the United States, HIV testing is decreased or suspended because staff have been deployed to work with the overwhelming number of Covid-19 patients.
UNAIDS stated further that 40 years in responding to HIV have provided valuable lessons, notably that the Covid-19 pandemic will not affect everyone equally and that the most marginalised, including key populations, will be the most affected.
It states that, “Despite the global progress made in HIV prevention, with new HIV infections falling by 40 percent since the peak in 1997, hard-won gains are in danger of being reversed by the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping around the world.”
WHO’s Dr Rachel Baggaley emphasised the need to try and maintain testing services — to avoid losing substantial HIV gains — to support people with HIV who are undiagnosed or unlinked to antiretroviral therapy (ART), that is — test and link.
An article in the Financial Times states, “Experts warn the coronavirus will divert resources from killer diseases.” They stated further that, “The dilemma of suspending vaccination campaigns amid the coronavirus pandemic is faced across the developing world as the virus not only claims lives of health workers and others directly, but is also causing huge disruptions to the treatment and prevention of other killer diseases as the pandemic threatens to overwhelm fragile health systems.”
They also stated that this “resource steal” will result in other illnesses, from HIV and TB to malaria and dengue fever, being neglected as finite resources are diverted to deal with Covid-19, costing lives today and storing up huge HIV problems for the future.
In a press release dated May 6 Winnie Byanyima, UNAIDS’ executive director said, “People are still having sex. People are still using drugs. During the Covid-19 pandemic, everyone must be given the tools they need to be safe and to protect themselves from HIV. Human rights are a cornerstone of HIV prevention and must be a cornerstone of the Covid-19 response.”
She also stated that in the time of the coronavirus disease, sex and drug use will continue, regardless of physical distancing orders and policies. People who previously met in community gathering venues such as bars and clubs may now meet in different sites, ones that are “hidden” or less accessible. This, in turn, may hinder efforts to reach them with prevention interventions, such as condoms, lubricants, and needle–syringe programmers.
In addition to hampering HIV prevention and treatment services, UNAIDS is concerned that the Covid-19 pandemic may increase the vulnerability of people to HIV. The widespread loss of livelihoods and fewer employment opportunities could mean that transactional sex, sex work and sexual exploitation will increase, putting people at increased risk of contracting HIV unless they have the means to protect themselves.
Therefore, Dr Baggaley states that it is important to support undiagnosed people living with HIV (PLHIV) to get tested and linked to antiretroviral therapy (ART). PLHIV, who do not know their status and are not on ART, including those with risk factors, eg diabetes, high body mass index (BMI), who contract Covid-19 may be at risk of Covid-19 complications.
Safety of HIV testing service (HTS) providers needs to be ensured during testing procedures, practices including PPE, hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, and physical distancing measures. Adaptations are needed for increased use of phone calls, digital tools (eg videos, websites, social media, text messages) and use of HIV self-testing. UNAIDS is urging the introduction of innovative means through which people can access services. HIV self-testing is a safer way to carry out HIV testing that reduces contact with other people and reduces the service burden on health facilities. Regardless of the method used, HIV testing is encouraged.