A visual journey through the MSF-supported 31-bed specialised AIDS unit in Donka hospital, Conakry in Guinea, opened in December 2016, due to high numbers of AIDS patients without care. Here MSF provides specialised hospital care for severely ill HIV patients, who require a delicate balance of rapidly treating infections and rebuilding the patients’ immune system. The very ill patient that MSF takes in charge, commonly arrive with one or more opportunistic infections including Karposi Sarcoma and cryptococcal meningitis.

As HIV rates in Guinea are low (1.7%), less attention has been paid to the HIV response. Today, of the 120,000 people living with HIV, only 1 in 4 are getting treatment. People living with HIV in Guinea face high stigma, additional medical costs and frequent stock-outs of key drugs. Without treatment, people living with HIV can easily develop AIDS.

In Donka Hospital, Conakry, many AIDS patients tell MSF staff of huge challenges in getting HIV treatment and regular tests for medical follow up. Patients are referred from across Conakry, many arriving by ambulance. The center includes a laboratory and pharmacy, while it also conducts medical research and gives hands-on medical training for staff to improve the overall care of AIDS patients in Guinea.

MSF has provided HIV and TB services since 2003. In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, MSF currently supports 11,000 HIV patients, and offers diagnosis, health promotion, treatment and adherence support to six health centres in Conakry.