The network of Moroccan anti-AIDS NGOs (ROMS) on Saturday in Rabat, urged the media to “get more involved” in the sensitisation campaign against the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Morocco.

The 33-NGO network during the commemoration of the World AIDS Day told a news briefing that partnerships should be established with the media to ensure wider and more efficient dissemination of information and facilitate continued sensitisation of the AIDS pandemic.

The anti-AIDS (ROMS) network further reiterated its readiness to cooperate with other groups and assist people living with the AIDS virus. ROMS was set up upon the initiative of the pan-African Organisation to coordinate the continent’s efforts to fight against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

According to the Moroccan anti-STDs League, some 600.000 people are infected with STDs in the kingdom.

In Casablanca, a “symbolic” march was held to mark the World AIDS Day, with hundreds of people chanting anti-AIDS slogans to raise people’s awareness of the scourge.

The World AIDS Day was also celebrated in the central city of Marrakech with the organisation of a fair to heighten public awareness of the disease through drama performances.

This fair organised by the Moroccan anti-AIDS Association (ALCS), in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (FNUAP) is expected to be replicated in other cities.

According to official statistics, there are 2,306 AIDS cases in Morocco while women represent about 39 per cent of the cases.

Young adults (under 40 years of age) are the most affected, with 23 per cent of those affected aged between 15 and 29 years and 42 per cent between 30 and 39 years.

On 29 May 2007, the Health ministry and the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria signed a convention by which the Fund will grant Morocco some 30 millions dollars over a five-year period.

The Moroccan anti-AIDS Association (ALCS) feels that despite the relatively low AIDS prevalence rate in Morocco where the first case was reported in 1986, the epidemiological situation could change, especially among high-risk groups.

Estimates show a steady increase in the number of people living with the disease, reaching 18,000 cases in 2005 against 14,500 in 2003. This number is likely to reach 28,000 in 2010, sources said.

The Moroccan kingdom has developed a national anti-AIDS strategic plan (2007-2011) whose major objective is to give general access to prevention, healthcare and support to people living with HIV.

According to the Health ministry, the Moroccan kingdom has reported significant progress in the prevention, screening and treatment of people infected with HIV, but Health minister, Yassmina Badous, says despite these “great achievements, vigilance was still needed”.

YB/aft/fss/tjm/APA 02-12-2007

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