Morocco marks national HIV/AIDS Day, highlights progress in risk reduction

Morocco commemorated National HIV/AIDS Day on Monday, December 1, at a ceremony in Rabat led by Health Minister Amine Tehraoui, under the theme «Risk reduction, methadone and psychosocial support: a winning combination». The event coincided with World AIDS Day.

The ministry reaffirmed Morocco’s commitment to the WHO «95-95-95» goals and presented the 2024–2030 Human Rights Strategy on HIV, tuberculosis and viral hepatitis. Officials highlighted Morocco’s role as a regional model in risk reduction, with participation from key institutions, including the Ministries of Interior and Justice, the National Human Rights Council, and civil society groups.

Significant progress was noted: new HIV infections dropped 22% between 2013 and 2024; 80% of people now know their status; and antiretroviral coverage has reached 95%, supporting the goal of eliminating mother-to-child transmission.

In addiction-related risk reduction, 88% of people who inject drugs benefit from prevention services, methadone adherence reaches 86%, and HIV prevalence in this group fell from 7.1% in 2017 to 5.3% in 2023. Methadone treatment now reaches 1,836 beneficiaries, up 626% since the program’s launch.

The 2030 plan aims to expand testing, prevention and treatment, with all HIV services continuing to be provided free of charge in public health facilities.