Two thousand new AIDS cases in Morocco in 2007
2007-11-27
The annual UNAIDS report has revealed an increase in Morocco's rate of HIV infection. To combat public attitudes surrounding the virus, health organisations plan a World AIDS Day march in Casablanca.
By Imrane Binoual for Magharebia in Casablanca – 27/11/07
![[File] Hakima Himmich said AIDS and other sexually-transmitted diseases are "a real danger to be feared".](/cocoon/awi/images/2007/11/27/071127-Feature-2-Photo1.jpg) [File] Hakima Himmich said AIDS and other sexually-transmitted diseases are "a real danger to be feared". |
The annual report from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), released ahead of World AIDS Day on Saturday (December 1st), said that while HIV infection has stabilised worldwide, AIDS "remains the top cause of death in Africa." According to UN statistics disclosed in the November 20th report, the number of people in Morocco carrying the virus rose from 18,000 in 2006 to 20,000 this year.
Morocco must confront the silence and stigma surrounding AIDS, argued Ahmed Douraidi, a human rights activist and national co-ordinator for one of the country’s main AIDS control NGOs, the Association to Fight AIDS. To further this awareness campaign, ALCS will help sponsor the "March to Fight AIDS" in Casablanca on World AIDS Day. "This is the first event that [the ALCS] is organising with partner associations with whom we have just set up a network of associations to fight AIDS," Douraidi told Magharebia.
The Morocco AIDS-Enterprise association works to connect AIDS-control NGOs with Moroccan business leaders. Chairman Brahim Sahib stressed the importance of setting up this network and confirmed that his association would be playing an active role in the December march. "AIDS is becoming a serious threat; we must fight it with all means available," he said.
"Getting business leaders on board is really important in raising awareness about the damage caused by HIV and in the success of any such programmes."
These kinds of initiatives to counter HIV are partly responsible for reduced infection rates worldwide, the UNAIDS report notes. However, ALCS president Professor Hakima Himmich feels that focusing on such figures "could actually be a disincentive in our work to combat this killer disease."
One of the most important routes for transmission of the virus is through sexual activity and this, according to Himich, is where the alarm needs to be raised in Morocco.
"[With] a very high number of sexually transmitted infections, around 350,000 new cases in Morocco, there is a real danger to be feared," Himmich said.
"On top of this, 40% of people with AIDS are women, and 2.4% are working in the sex industry," she noted. "This puts us on a similar footing to Sub-Saharan countries affected by AIDS, such as Senegal."
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Med Benjelloun Posted 2007-11-28
The Moroccan Ministry of health should allocate more resources to assist the private sector end the NGO's to increase the efforts in the prevention of STD's through a larger IEC programs focued on and outreaching selected target groups in an open language understandible by all.
limati hajar Posted 2007-11-28
Why is AIDS a sexually transmitted disease?
simo Posted 2007-11-28
International AIDS Awareness Day Children and Women, HIV and AIDS. Are you finally going to listen to us? On January 12, 2004, OPALS-Morocco began a two-week intensive campaign more than 20 years after the first appearance of AIDS. The same question has unfortunately always come up: how do we limit the spread of this epidemic? This question continues to go unanswered today except by the individual voluntary action of every one of us. Every December 1 is the International AIDS Awareness Day. It reminds us of the reality of the epidemic. Today, once every two hours someone in the world contracts the virus. This is the finding of the National Agency on AIDS Research. In Morocco, France and everywhere else in the world, there are new contractions of the virus, principally affecting heterosexuals and women. It is from this fact that the idea of developing the theme of “children and women” came. Thus, this year's theme is for International AIDS Awareness Day is “For Children and Women, for HIV and AIDS” and the slogan is “Are you finally going to listen to us?” Today, 38 million people are infected with HIV-AIDS, of them, 18 million are women. Now facing the new upsurge in this epidemic, a new perspective is necessary. The prejudices and the clichés are losing and it is more than urgent that we understand and admit that AIDS affects all of us, regardless of sexuality, race, lifestyle, social standing or age. On one hand, women are more vulnerable to this infection, but on the other, they are more conscious of the necessity of preventing it and of getting information. The idea to develop the question this year of “children and women” can be explained by several reas
HAMIDO Posted 2007-11-30
I would like to have some good statistics on all of Morocco with some numbers so that everyone can finally understand the giant impact of this epidemic on the entirety of the Moroccan population.
ايد عبد الله Posted 2007-11-30
There should be an awareness-raising campaign about this disease in children's programmes.
kouki Posted 2007-12-02
Hi, How many organisation are there in Morocco working against HIV/AIDS? Where aren’t there centres specialised in this organised in every hospitals? -Thank you
هاجر Posted 2007-12-07
AIDS is transmitted quickly so we have to take the necessary precautions.
جمال Posted 2007-12-09
Prevention is better than treatment. If we return to religion, we will find that it has forbidden adultry which is the main cause of the disease.
ورديتا Posted 2007-12-16
A very good topic but not very deep and didn't enter well into details.
البروفيسور الطالبي Posted 2007-12-29
My comment is the following, AIDS and other diseases are serious. It's better if we stand in their face together. Mourad Talbi from Tangier, high school of Aouama.
نجوى Posted 2007-12-30
Hi. Honestly the AIDS crisis is worth discussing. Awareness of its threat must be spread especially with its alarmingly rising rate in our beloved country. It would be desirable to launch such campaigns during all occasions and not only on World Aids Day and in villages in particular.. thanks
Anonymous Posted 2007-12-31
Very bad.
zohir harnafi Posted 2008-01-03
I would like an update on the statistics for AIDS in Morocco from 2007 to 2008.
lamiae alami Posted 2008-01-06
Thank you for publishing this information on the Internet. I am a smart, female student, interested in this subject. I am preparing my dissertation on STDs in the pregnant-women population. I will need more of your advice and information. Thank you in advance
hanan allal Posted 2008-01-08
Thank you for the information published on this website. I am a female nursing student and I am interested in this subject because I am preparing my final project on STD’s and pregnancy. I will need your advice and information. –Thank you in advance.
laila el alaoui Posted 2008-01-28
AIDS is a fatal disease caused by HIV. It can be diagnosed through blood analysis only after three months of infection. Symptoms of the disease appear after years of infection. Presently there’s no vaccination against it. Available medicines don’t guarantee total recovery. It’s the result of sexual intercourse with an infected partner, by the use of needles contaminated by decomposed blood or non-sterilized, from the pregnant mother to her foetus during pregnancy or delivery, or from the nursing mother to her baby through her milk. Thank you.
محمد Posted 2008-01-30
I address a request to the brothers who work on the site. Please send me a documentary file about AIDS to use it in raising awareness of young people. The file should include pictures or videos featuring symptoms of the disease. I inform you that I work in education.
Anonymous Posted 2008-01-31
AIDS affects mainly young people associated with bad women. The Muslim young man is armed with faith, he doesn’t fear that disease.
alae din Posted 2008-02-01
What are the symptoms that appear at the beginning of the disease? And where the places where the disease is present in Morocco?
امل Posted 2008-02-02
This is a dangerous disease. People have to be informed about this danger which affects many people.
عبد الوهاب Posted 2008-02-10
Thank you. I would like some general statistics.
غز لا ن بنسا مح Posted 2008-02-15
I’m 17, I would like that you talk more about youth issues, such as sexual deviance, thank you.
simo Posted 2008-02-16
AIDS is a serious disease and is fatal. May God make this disease not affect everyone.
أحمد Posted 2008-02-24
Why is the number of infected people increasing in Morocco?
عمر Posted 2008-03-01
Oh Lord guide all Muslims to the right path.
وفاء Posted 2008-03-06
If someone drank AIDS blood, what would happen to him? Would he quickly catch the disease?
عبد الصمد Posted 2008-03-14
Here, my brother, you will find how you can be infected with AIDS: http://spacetimes.nice-forum.com/montada-f38/topic-t450.htm and http://spacetimes.nice-forum.com/montada-f38/topic-t449.htm You will find detailed information. Thank you.
siham Posted 2008-03-18
It is a very dangerous disease and it should be avoided.
عواطف Posted 2008-03-25
There should be programmes for kids about AIDS so that they know the danger of this disease.
عريان رشيد Posted 2008-04-12
AIDS is one of the most serious diseases of this era. Therefore, there should be awareness-raising campaigns all year long.
nezha Posted 2008-04-12
AIDS is a fatal disease and widely-spread. May God protect us and protect all Muslims.
amina Posted 2008-04-15
Thank you.
najib errayadi Posted 2008-04-22
Hi Dr. Himmich, I work with Dr. Chaddad in Beni Mellal. We are leaving for Lalla Amina’s in Fez on the 25th. There you have it: my relation to this. I was helped by one of the people in charge in Beni Mellal.
jamal Posted 2008-04-26
With your support, I am making an appeal to all the men and women of Morocco. I want to tell them to inform themselves and inform others, because it is only in passing along information that we can guard ourselves against this evil. Everyday, 15,000 new people a day are infected with HIV in the world. Face the situation! We must double our vigilance and combine our efforts on this common front in order to come up with a shared answer. This is a merciless war.
soumia miss Posted 2008-05-20
I am interested in this subject. HIV infection is chronic and, unfortunately, the number of cases is rising in Morocco.
khadija miss Posted 2008-06-07
Good evening, An infection with Human Immunodeficiency Virus is chronic. Morocco now has 20 thousand cases of the 42 million known in the world. What I would like to know is how many are treated with the cocktail therapy in our country. Thank you
soumia m Posted 2008-06-09
HIV is a very serious disease because it affects all humankind. Unfortunately, the number of cases in Morocco is very high. I hope we will make a big effort to fight HIV.
laila Posted 2008-06-21
I interned for three months at ALCS and I will not hide from you that the staff—the therapy teachers in Agadir—are not qualified at all and they are not even professional in their work. Imagine what the result would be if an unqualified person is working with people I qualify as atomic bombs. By God, it is quite a shame that ALCS makes so much effort for this vulnerable population but, at the same time, has a staff that is destroying its work base at the heart of ALCS. It is indeed unfortunate. And, if no one in charge of said organisation will say it, then just read my comment. Please, I beg you to pay attention before hiring people who are not qualified. It is just throwing fuel on the fire. Be careful. You deserve highly qualified staff so that your work goes well.
عبد الله Posted 2008-07-10
I hope that everyone will be aware about it. But most of us deserve AIDS and even more.
zakaria Posted 2008-09-17
Morocco only got what it deserved. Extramarital sex equals AIDS. And, on the Moroccan time scale, this is only the beginning. I am ashamed. This is why I do not go there anymore.
Ego Posted 2008-09-18
Wafa! What kind of questions is this!!!??? Drinking blood!? In the end, it would seem that vampires are immunised against all human diseases, including AIDS. So, drink up to your health!!!
نادي الوءام للتوعية الصحية ومحاربة السيدا Posted 2008-10-17
Unfortunately, infection from this disease is on the rise. We, in Al Wiam club, tried to train educators in this field. However, we quickly lose for many reasons including university studies, lack of some methods of awareness-raising. Now we are organizing workshops for educators : outreach workshops, workshops to define the roles of educator or trainer, animation workshop, AIDS and sexually transmissible diseases, an awareness-raising campaign on the World AIDS Day. We hope to find people to help us. Compact discs showing the latest statistics, information, posters and brochures. Address: Youth House in Kelaa Megouna, Ouarzazate.
Hicham Posted 2008-11-01
Most cases of AIDS/HIV are increasing among maybe women are becuase of date rape (by druging the female) and rape, govt must do more to educate young women and men about dating and AID/HIV in this time and age of moroc and provide free testing to anyone for Aids/Hiv like most advance countries
manal Posted 2008-12-22
Honestly, AIDS is a very very serious disease.
LOULA Posted 2009-01-30
This message needs to be passed along: The risks, consequences and importance of protecting our schools in order to begin to make our young people more aware are tragic for a Muslim country. May God protect you!
bassma de laayoune Posted 2009-03-12
Aids is a fatal and serious diseases. Honestly, these figures are frightening for every patient suffering of this disease. But they are not necessarily blameful. Most of them are victims. Unfortunately, they are blameful in the eyes of Arab society. It is not necessarily transmitted through sexual intercourse. What is the guilt of the foetus in the womb of his mother who has the disease?
soukayna rahmani Posted 2009-03-20
Thank you so much for covering this subject: it is very important.
Joe Posted 2009-03-30
Ah yes very nice info. thank you
علام Posted 2009-04-18
Thank you.
youssef Posted 2009-05-29
This tool is very important. I hope that you send me the first signs that appear of the disease. Thank you.
nadia Posted 2009-06-25
I am a girl. I explain what AIDS is at colleges.
said Posted 2009-07-18
I liked your topic because it is very interesting especially for young people like me.
karim Posted 2010-01-09
I want you to give me addresses of associations or centres for AIDS in Morocco or phone numbers of these centers. Thank you very much.
meriem Posted 2010-02-08
I want general statistics for Morocco.
عبد الرحيم Posted 2010-04-02
I hope that every young man and woman stays away from adultery because it is banned by God. I ask God to heal everyone! Thank you!
كريم Posted 2010-04-03
Salam alikum. I would like to know first symptoms of AIDS and some pictures please, I want a quick reply!
brit in canada Posted 2010-04-04
Loosing weight..tired ..these are the two most common signs,,
said ennoukra Posted 2010-04-13
I want to be part of the centre.
abderahim Posted 2010-04-19
I need information about sexually transmitted diseases. I also need statistics about the topic.
omayma Posted 2010-04-25
Salam. I want to know number of victims in 2010.
khalid Posted 2010-05-08
I ask you to give me addresses of Moroccan associations for AIDS or their phone numbers. Thank you!
khalid Posted 2010-05-08
Do you know a girl who has AIDS, wants to marry and repent to God? Please guide me to addresses of centres in Morocco or phone numbers of these associations. God the Almighty is forgiving and no one can give his judgment in the decision of God. How many kids have AIDS? Is God punishing him? How many criminals take the money of orphans, commit obscenities daily, how many kills souls? But they don't have AIDS. Help your brothers who have the disease. Is diabetes a punishment from God? Is cancer a punishment from God? Thank you! May God heal every patient!
karim Posted 2010-05-10
Peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you. I ask you to guide me to phone numbers of Moroccan associations, centers or addresses of specialists in treating AIDS patients. I live in Spain. Are there girls who have AIDS who want to marry? My brothers in God, God advises us to be good to patients, regardless of the nature of his disease or nationality. There are many pious people who suffer from serious and fatal diseases. Is this the punishment of God? There are many criminals who oppress people, take their livings and livings of orphans some even kill souls. But they are healthy and practice their activities daily. My brothers in God, sex is innate in humans. Any pious person can fall, let alone ordinary people. Any human being can fall in this, even with his thought or eyes. My brothers in God, don’t forget that the mercy of God is very wide.
karim Posted 2010-05-16
Is there any girl who has AIDS, HIV, who wants to marry?
ashrough Posted 2010-12-01
you should 'encourage' people to fear God, not to use condoms!!!
fatima ezzahra Posted 2011-01-14
I need information regarding AIDS figures in 2010. Thank you for your work.
Essid Posted 2011-01-17
To Ashrough- Fear of God has nothing to do with AIDS. Most women in Morocco who are infected with AIDS, are infected because their husbands have committed adultery at a house of prostitution. The disease then transfers to any children. Moreover, “fearing God”, by which I imagine you mean following the scriptures, can actually increase the probability of contracting HIV. Why? It is because according to Islam, women who suspect that their spouse has cheated can do nothing: they cannot leave the husband and they cannot require their husband to wear a condom. So, get off your soapbox and quit being a pious pedant. We need practical solutions to the realities that we face, not pointless statements like, “If everyone were perfect, then the world would be perfect” – which is essentially what you are saying. Life is not scripture. The best we can do is to give people as many methods as possible to prevent this disease, not just religion.
VIH/SIDA Posted 2011-02-27
The commenter Karim is absolutely right: HIV is not a punishment. If God punishes people with disease, then God is mean and arbitrary, which is not the case. Otherwise, how would you explain how very bad people do not have diseases and people who are very nice get cancer? The reason people get HIV is because of lack of education. The rate of infection in the Maghreb continues to increase and so does the hostility towards those who are infected. People do not understood how HIV is transmitted, so they do not know how to prevent infection and they do not understand that there is no need to be afraid of the infected. HIV is transmitted through blood and seminal fluid. All forms of sex (oral, vaginal and anal) carry a risk of infection. This is why you should always wear a condom or use a dental dam. Once you believe that you are in an honest, monogamous relationship, you should both go get tested for HIV before deciding to have unprotected sex. If you ever think that your partner is having sex with someone else or that your partner is using drugs, you should either refuse to have sex or use a condom. It is understandable that you will be afraid to offend your partner if you demand that that you use a condom, but not being infected with HIV is more important than not hurting his feelings. Sharing syringes also carries a risk of infection. If you use intravenous drugs, you should always use a new syringe.
Anonymous Posted 2011-05-28
svp i want to know about center that help hiv peapl in fes pleazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
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