Chad is reinforcing its collaboration with UNAIDS as the country continues efforts to combat HIV, officials confirmed following a high-level meeting in the capital on Tuesday.
UNAIDS Country Director Françoise Ndayishimiyé was received by Chadian Minister of State and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Abdoulaye Sabre Fadoul, to discuss ongoing cooperation and future initiatives in the fight against HIV.
The talks highlighted strategies to expand access to prevention, treatment, care, and support services across the country.
Ms. Ndayishimiyé emphasized the organization’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with Chad, stating that her mandate is focused on ensuring universal access to all aspects of HIV-related care. “Our goal is to support Chad in achieving sustainable progress in HIV prevention and treatment,” she said.
Official data estimates that approximately 120,000 people are living with HIV in Chad, representing a prevalence rate of 0.9%. The highest rates of infection are concentrated in N’Djamena, the capital, and the Logone Occidental province.
The meeting also explored ways to tailor HIV programs to local contexts and address gaps in awareness, testing, and treatment adherence. Both parties agreed on the importance of continued cooperation to reduce the impact of HIV on vulnerable populations and strengthen the country’s healthcare infrastructure.
This renewed partnership comes amid regional efforts to meet international targets for HIV elimination, including the UNAIDS 95-95-95 goals, which aim for 95% of people living with HIV to know their status, 95% of those diagnosed to receive treatment, and 95% of those on treatment to achieve viral suppression.
Dr. Fadoul welcomed UNAIDS’ ongoing support, noting that international collaboration remains vital for advancing Chad’s public health objectives. “Working closely with partners like UNAIDS allows us to provide comprehensive services and reach communities most at risk,” he said.
As Chad deepens its engagement with UNAIDS, the government hopes to strengthen HIV prevention programs, expand treatment coverage, and ultimately move closer to eliminating the epidemic nationwide.
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