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Mauritania
In 2022, integrated HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STI) and tuberculosis services were scaled up in Mauritania thanks to the Joint Team’s technical and financial support, improving access for vulnerable and key populations. Six new HIV treatment and care facilities opened in Aioun, Akjoujt, Aleg, Atar, Selibaby and Tidjikja cities, further expanding access to services for people living with HIV. In the Nouakchott region, management of HIV and tuberculosis co-infection cases improved following the training of 16 healthcare providers working in tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment centres (UNAIDS Secretariat).
Around 700 young people and people from key populations accessed HIV and STI screening services and were referred to treatment services as needed. A total of 25 men who have sex with men and people living with HIV were also sensitized on HIV prevention and treatment, and over 30 000 condoms were procured and disseminated by the Joint Team. In-schools adolescent and young people are better informed on HIV and STI prevention, through revised teachers’ guides on comprehensive sexuality education, and thanks to various video materials on HIV prevention disseminated via social media and mobile apps (UNFPA, UNAIDS Secretariat).
An advocacy plan was developed to address the critical issues highlighted by the 2020 Stigma Index 2.0 study, thanks to a collaboration between government stakeholders, the network of people living with HIV (REMAP+) and the Joint Team. A total of 60 healthcare professionals were oriented on elimination of stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV in health facilities. Furthermore, vulnerable and key populations, including people living with HIV, women, and young people were empowered to defend their rights to access health and social protection services through 400 individual counselling sessions and 60 small group sessions (UNAIDS Secretariat). Refugees living with HIV continued to access treatment and care services thanks to an outpatient treatment centre located in the refugee camp of Mberra (UNHCR).
Extensive advocacy and technical support from the Joint Team increased donor funding from various international and domestic sources and strengthened integration of services and the overall healthcare system. Over US$ 7 million were mobilized from the Global Fund for the 2022-2024 period, and the Joint Team supported its prioritization to address inequalities and reach HIV targets in Mauritania.