CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE | WEEKLY NEWS
by Pascal Dotchevi, Togo, October 1998
THEME = AIDS
Togo has not been spared the ravages of AIDS which has been spreading across other countries. The situation has even been called "alarming" by the health authorities
By the end of 1997, there was a total of 9,204 cases of AIDS registered, whereas in 1987 there had been six. Even worse, there were 150,000 people HIV-positive - which means 3.3% of the country's population is going around with the HIV virus, without knowing it. In Togo, the highest percentage is found among women, especially in the age range 15-29. Within this age range, 59.1% of women are HIV-positive as compared with 30.8% of men, for a population of nearly 4.5 million.
Dr Bassabi is director of the National Programme For The Fight Against AIDS (PNLS). Referring to the high infection rate among women, he says: "In Togolese society, tradition has it that women are subject to men and hence, financially dependent on men, and this partly explains why more women are infected than men. Also, further pressure on women comes from older men who have more and more "taste" for young girls. So, young women these days, have great difficulty in facing up to: the demands of tradition; what older women tell them; the whims of older men.
AIDS has spread throughout the country because people were forced from their homes during the years of civil unrest (1992-1994). At that time, large sections of the population were on the move. Also, Togo is very much at a crossroads of nations, with people coming and going from other countries - which doesn't help matters. In spite of the alarming situation, people still continue to deny that AIDS exists. This explains why 82.4% of infections are incurred through heterosexual relations.
The government and the civil society are doing their best to limit the damage.
Faced with the alarming situation, in 1987 the government established a National Committee for Fighting Against AIDS (CNLS), which was soon to become the National Programme for Fighting Against AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (PNLS/MST). This organisation coordinates all the activities undertaken throughout Togo in the fight against AIDS. In 1997, the PNLS/MST received financial aid to the tune of some 430 million CFA francs.
The PNLS/MST's plan of action includes: informing, educating, communicating ideas so as to reduce the pandemic, preventing, improving care facilities for those with the HIV virus and for AIDS patients, mitigating the socio-economic effects of AIDS, encouraging and coordinating research in AIDS-related issues. Dr Bassabi reckons that if these plans are to be carried through successfully, present structures must be decentralised and authority delegated.
He says: "We are making use of radio, television and the Press to spread our message. Educationalists are preparing a series of special information sheets for school children. Sometimes I come face to face with parents who've got children in Catholic or Muslim schools. The parents forbid me to put information regarding the use of condoms, on the schools' notice-boards. They even asked me to withdraw a TV "flash-announcement" showing a mother offering a condom to her daughter who is setting out on a journey. They'll only agree to statements recommending sexual abstention and marital fidelity. Nevertheless, a number of Catholics, Protestants and many Muslims have understood the necessity of fighting against AIDS. When considering religious organisations, we are especially concerned about the influence of religious sects. Leaders try to persuade their faithful that AIDS can be cured through prayer, and so they're not particular worried if their faithful get infected. Unfortunately, the level of transmission of HIV/AIDS among these people is very high."
The health authorities engaged in the fight against AIDS, have initiated novel projects with the agreement of donor agencies. Dr. Bassabi continues: "For example, one project called "Drivers Against AIDS" (TTCS) was a terrific success. Drivers and drivers' unions received special training in AIDS-related issues, and they, in their turn, passed on the information to their passengers and personnel in the truck stops and bus stations. It was rather a delicate matter first of all, but gradually passengers listened to what was told them. A second section soon to be launched, will be called "Journeying Together" and will tackle the problem of drivers and "sexual workers". Marketing condoms is also proving successful". This particular project came into existence after an analysis of target groups such as the armed forces, drivers and students had been carried out.
The government has just inaugurated an HIV, AIDS and STD Advice and Documentation Centre in Lome (CCD). The PNLS's director says that this Centre is extremely useful because it is financially independent from any outside funding. The director says that the State provides the personnel and the buildings. (In other countries, institutes similar to the CCD are entirely dependent on outside help to remain afloat).
According to Dr. Bassabi, the CCD's plan of action englobes a number of different activities: Imparting psychosocial advice; screening for AIDS (anonymously); offering support and encouragement for those already having HIV/AIDS - a meeting room is provided and appropriate support groups are at hand. Screening at the CCD is strictly anonymous, purely voluntary and free. The staff are extremely sympathetic and helpful. Even though the Centre hasn't been open all that long, the director says that so far, results have proved encouraging.
The government has exempted from Customs duty, those drugs used in the Triple Drug Therapy Course. In spite of this, costs remain high and the medication is beyond the reach of many people. In fact, only about 50 sick people in Togo are following this course of treatment. Dr. Bassabi says it's a case of "prevention is better than cure". Even if one has the wherewithal to follow the treatment, it must be carried on for the rest of one's life...and that's no laughing matter.
END
CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE | WEEKLY NEWS
PeaceLink 1999 - Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgement