Collaboration between Media and Key Populations for Better Access to HIV Care in Togo

In Togo, the prevalence of HIV in the general population is 2.5%. However, the prevalence in key populations is 11.7%

among Sex Professionals; 13% among homosexuals and 84.9% among drug users. To eradicate the HIV epidemic, programs and policies must take an innovative and targeted approach that emphasizes access to services for these populations.

In this process, the media can and have a role to play. Relations between the media and key populations are often made of suspicion and mistrust. To help create a favorable gateway to patient access to care in key populations, training was offered to both parties in order to encourage collaboration and promote collective actions to advance in the fight against HIV in Togo.

It is within the framework of the DINDJI project funded by USAID that a workshop was organized for the benefit of the leaders of key populations on the relationship with the media from June 19 to 21, 2017 at the GIS PALACE hotel in Baguida (Lomé ).

20 people took part. Messrs Atinèdi GNASSE, Head of Communication and Public Relations at the Permanent Secretariat of the CNLS-IST and Chédo AVOCETIEN President of the CUPIDON network facilitated discussions.

Very often, the media reflect the opinions of the people in which they are installed. While relaying a certain rejection of key populations, they increase the risk of the latter not accessing healthcare. In doing so, these populations do not have access to a fundamental right which is that of health. At the same time, these unsupported populations become risk factors for the rest of the population with which the stigmatized populations have relations.

It is therefore necessary to break this chain via an agreed and necessary communication.

For any information on the Dindji project, please contact Mr. Jules Venance KOUASSI jvk@corridor-wa.org