13th annual regional HIV/Hepatitis colloquium in Reunion |18 October 2014

Minister Larue heads 36-member Seychelles delegation

Health Minister Mitcy Larue led a 36-member delegation from Seychelles at the 13th regional colloquium on HIV/Hepatitis of the Indian Ocean from October 8-10.
The delegation comprised members of the civil society, faith-based organisations, youths, National Aids Council, Drug and Alcohol Council, rehabilitation institution and health professionals.

Egalité des soins dans l'Océan Indien/Equality of care in the Indian Ocean was the theme chosen for this year and for the first time Hepatitis was integrated in the colloquium.

During the three-day meeting the delegates discussed various issues such as the equality of detection and treatment in regards to HIV/Hepatitis-infected persons across the population, discrimination among the people who are affected with HIV/Hepatitis, the contribution that civil societies can bring in the fight against HIV/Hepatitis in their respective countries.

One of the positive things that came out from this year’s colloquium is that there is a strong will and enthusiasm against the fight of HIV/Aids/Hepatitis C within the Indian Ocean.

A new network – Ravane Océan Indien – has also been formed, having as members people living with HIV and also representatives of non-governmental organisations whose objectives are to network and implement projects within the islands of the Indian Ocean on issues related to HIV/hepatitis, sexual health and the fight against discrimination.

Ronny Arnephy from the HIV/Aids Support Organisation of Seychelles has been elected president of the Ravane Océan Indien.

In recent years, Seychelles has seen a gradual increase in the number of newly detected cases of HIV. From January to June 2014, 30 new HIV and Aids clients were reported, representing an increase of 59% of new cases compared to the same period in 2013. The age group 20 to 34 years old with 43% of new cases for 2014 is the most affected. However, the 50 years old and above category represents 30% of the cases.

From January to June 2014, five new Aids cases were reported, representing a reduction of 67% in new cases compared to the same reporting period in 2013.
 From January to June 2014, nine Aids-related deaths were reported representing an increase of 125% compared to the same reporting period in 2013.

Dr Catherine Gaud said some positive things such as the creation of the new civil society network which came out of this year’s colloquium. She also said that the collective fight against HIV/Hepatitis among countries of the Indian Ocean is very strong but at the same time there are also some negative issues that need to be addressed.

As the number of people injecting drugs continues to increase there has been a rise in the number of cases of people detected with HIV and hepatitis co-infections.

According to statistics, 99% of detected cases of Hepatitis C in Seychelles from 2008 to June 2014 are due to intravenous drug abuse.

Madagascar has also seen an increase in HIV cases due to failures in its health system and these include no access to treatment for people infected with Hepatitis.

UNAids regional director of Southern and Eastern Africa, Professor Sheila Tlou, was also present for the colloquium and she said young people, sex workers and prisoners should not be left behind in the fight against HIV/Aids.  

UNAids has set a target to eliminate the HIV/Aids epidemic by 2030, stressing on the three ZEROs -- zero new infections, zero deaths from HIV/Aids, zero discrimination.

It is imperative that 90% of the population should know their HIV status and should all have equal access to treatments within the next five years.

She firmly believes that civil societies and faith-based organisations can play a vital role in the battle against HIV/Aids and Hepatitis.

The colloquium ended with the handing over of the Ravanne (drum) and the pennant to Minster Larue as the 14th annual regional colloquium will be held here in Seychelles next year.