Princess Stéphanie of Monaco recently visited Madagascar, reinforcing her commitment to fighting AIDS through her work with Fight AIDS Monaco…
Her visit coincides with that of UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima, who is urging global solidarity to strengthen Madagascar’s HIV response and tackle the sharp rise in infections.
Despite regional trends showing a decline in new HIV cases, Madagascar has seen a concerning surge, with new HIV infections increasing since 2010 and a 158% rise in AIDS-related deaths. The joint visit by Princess Stéphanie and Ms. Byanyima highlights the urgent need for global support to reverse these troubling statistics.
Through Fight AIDS Monaco, Princess Stéphanie has been an advocate for raising awareness, reducing stigma, and encouraging solidarity in the global fight against AIDS. The organization has actively supported efforts to improve HIV prevention in Madagascar, including providing access to testing and treatment.
UNAIDS has also been instrumental in helping Madagascar strengthen its surveillance systems and expand HIV testing and antiretroviral therapy. However, gaps in data collection and limited access to healthcare facilities have hindered the country’s efforts to accurately track the pandemic and provide necessary care.
Madagascar’s struggle against HIV is compounded by widespread poverty and recurrent natural disasters, making recovery challenging. UNAIDS emphasizes the need for international financial and technical assistance to ensure HIV prevention tools, such as testing kits and antiretroviral treatments, are widely accessible.
“Madagascar has the potential to scale up its HIV response, but it urgently needs global support to ensure that prevention and treatment resources are available to everyone,” said Ms. Byanyima.
Image: Monaco Info
