The HIV prevalence rate in Tigray, Ethiopia, has surged from 1.4% to 3% post-war, with alarming rates among displaced and sexual violence survivors. The war destroyed 83% of local health services, compounded by Trump-era funding cuts, leading to significant increases in various infectious diseases. Re-establishing healthcare systems and addressing the ongoing humanitarian crisis remains urgent as local leaders grapple with political instability.
Ethiopia’s Tigray region, previously a model in the fight against HIV with a prevalence rate of 1.4%, has witnessed a drastic increase in cases following the outbreak of war in 2020. The region’s health infrastructure was severely damaged, leading the HIV rate to double to 3%. Among displaced individuals, the prevalence skyrockets to 5.5%, with survivors of sexual violence facing an alarming 8.6% rate of infection.
The conflict, which was marked by widespread sexual violence and impairments to healthcare access, has left only 17% of health centers operational. A significant portion of the population, particularly women subjected to sexual violence, did not receive timely medical support, exacerbating the crisis. Evidence indicates that 90% of sexual violence survivors lacked access to crucial medical care, crucial in the immediate aftermath of their trauma.
The Trump administration’s drastic cuts to U.S. Agency for International Development programs have further endangered the region’s health response. Health workers have faced layoffs, and charities supporting HIV patients have had their operations halted, impeding progress in addressing the rising infection rates. Tigray’s ongoing struggle with other infectious diseases, including malaria and measles, compounds the urgent public health challenges.
Health professionals express concern over the ripple effects of the conflict, which has engendered a system where basic healthcare is non-existent. Many hospitals, such as Ayder Referral Hospital, are operating on limited resources, forcing patients to pay for previously free services. Additionally, the destruction of community-based health insurance has undermined the region’s health system, posing a significant barrier to recovery.
As local leaders navigate ongoing political instability, the priority remains to rebuild the damaged health infrastructure and re-establish programs that can adequately address the healthcare needs of Tigray’s population in crisis. The urgent need for humanitarian aid, coupled with soaring malnutrition among children, continues to hinder recovery efforts throughout the region.
Tigray’s health crisis is a result of the confluence of war, systemic healthcare destruction, and drastic reductions in international assistance. With HIV rates escalating amid widespread sexual violence, the urgency for effective health services and support systems grows. Key healthcare functionalities, such as community-based insurance, require reconstruction to restore order and improve public health conditions. Continued international attention and support will be critical in addressing these pressing issues.
Original Source: apnews.com
