When the Covid-19 pandemic was confirmed in Rwanda in March last year, the government announced various measures to control its spread.
With movement restrictions and other Covid-19 measures 43-year Maria’s (not her real name) job as a sex worker was no longer sustainable.
Maria, who is HIV-positive, was forced to relocate to the village where the cost of living is cheaper, with her four daughters . The government food relief helped her.
"I couldn't keep taking my medication on an empty stomach,” she said.
This, however, came with its own challenges. Accessing her medicine became a problem because there was no health centre near her home while public transport was halted.
"There was no transportation and I couldn’t walk the long distance,” she said.
As a result her health deteriorated.
However, as restrictions were progressively eased, she resumed her HIV/AIDS treatment.
This is a familiar story not only for sex workers like Maria but many other HIV-positive Rwandans who have been challenged by the pandemic.
As Rwanda joins the rest of the world to mark World AIDS Day, there are fears that factors such as limited mobility during the pandemic may have reversed the gains made in the battle to end AIDS.
The pandemic is also believed to have slowed down the delivery of healthcare services for HIV/AIDS patients, causing sharp decreases in HIV diagnoses and referrals to treatment.
The government is yet to assess the full impact of the pandemic on community-based HIV prevention services.
These fears come when official figures show that the annual incidence of HIV among adults (15-64 years) in Rwanda was 0.08 per cent.
This equates to about 5,400 new HIV cases per year among adults.
The prevalence of HIV among adults is estimated at 3 per cent, which translates into approximately 210,200 HIV-positive people.
The prevalence is more pronounced in women (3.7 per cent) than men (2.2 per cent).
Experts have warned that the world risks missing the targets to end AIDS by 2030, not because of a lack of knowledge or tools to beat AIDS, but because of structural inequalities that obstruct proven solutions to HIV prevention and treatment, as well as a prolonged Covid-19 pandemic and a spiraling social and economic crisis.
At national level, World AIDS Day is scheduled to be celebrated today December 1, in Nyagatare District where a three months awareness campaign will be launched.
Rwanda is marking the day under the theme: Together, we end AIDS.
The global theme provided by UNAIDS is; "End Inequalities, End AIDS, End Pandemics”.
Health experts have urged people living with HIV/AIDS to be extremely vigilant and avoid contracting Covid-19 because their immune systems are already compromised.
They have also been encouraged to be vaccinated against Covid-19, in addition to consulting health care providers regarding booster doses.