On the occasion of World AIDS Day, 1 December, the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean is putting the spotlight on the HIV treatment gap in the Region.

The Eastern Mediterranean Region is experiencing the fastest rate of increase of the HIV epidemic in the world. At the same time, it is providing the lowest coverage of HIV prevention, treatment and care services. Among the estimated 561 000 people living with HIV in the Region, more than 85% of those in need life-saving antiretroviral therapy do not receive it.

The main contributor to this treatment gap is the low uptake of HIV testing and counselling services. In particular, people at higher risk of HIV, that is, people who inject drugs, men who have sex with men and sex workers, are still not being reached by available testing and counselling services.