HIV & COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has substantially affected the lives of people living wiht HIV (PLHIV), who frequently face multiple morbidities and may be at heightened risk for COVID-19 complications, with spillover effects on other aspects as equitable access to treatment and prevention.

Countries must ensure an appropriate balance between protecting health, preventing economic and social disruption, and respecting human rights to ensure that PLHIV have the same access to services as others, and that HIV-related services continue without disruption as the health system responds rapidly and effectively to COVID-19.

WHO’s Global HIV Programme continues to work with countries and their development partners to ensure people who need HIV prevention, care and treatment can continue to access it. The COVID-19 pandemic should not jeopardize the hard-won gains made in the global response to HIV.

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