Global HIV/AIDS

Mali

HIV/AIDS in Mali

1.0% Estimated Prevalence
(Age 15–49)
4,400 Estimated Deaths (2009)
59,000 Estimated Orphans
21,000 Reported Number of People Receiving ART
42,000 Estimated Number of People Needing ART

SOURCE:
UNAIDS Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic, November 2010

HIV/AIDS Assets and Strategic Focus

Strategic Focus
Since 2001, CDC has been supporting the Ministry of Health of Mali in HIV/sexually transmitted infections (STI) surveillance, laboratory capacity building, laboratory testing and quality control, national policy development as well as HIV/STI prevention and care for vulnerable populations.

Implementing Effective Prevention Programs
CDC supports prevention programs that provide counseling and diagnostic services for commercial sex workers and youth in partnership with two local non-governmental organizations.

Strengthening Public Health Information Systems
CDC provides surveillance support for the national prevalence surveys in antenatal clinics, and for periodic national behavioral and the Demographic Health Survey (DHS+).

Expanding Care and Treatment Services
CDC supports the national STI program through training and development of guidelines for diagnosis and treatment. It also implements local and national studies of sexually transmitted diseases. CDC is improving the national capacity to implement programs for STI and HIV prevention in high-risk groups.

Strengthening Laboratory Systems
CDC provides technical assistance to enhance the capacity of the National Public Health Research Institute to carry out laboratory-based quality assurance/control programs and support HIV/STI surveillance.

Notable Accomplishments

Public Health Information and Laboratory Systems Support

CDC is the one of the key partners of the Ministry of Health of Mali for the HIV/STI national surveillance activities, prevention activities with most-at-risk populations including youths/adolescents, health system strengthening through lab capacity building, and blood safety. Four rounds of the Integrated HIV/STI Surveillance & Behavioral Survey (ISBS) and five rounds of Ante Natal Care (ANC) Surveys have been completed over the past decade. CDC has also technically supported two rounds of the Demographic Health Survey (DHS+), and another round is scheduled to occur in 2011.

National Reference Laboratory Capacity Building

National reference laboratory capacity building increased through CDC funding and technical assistance for appropriate guidance and oversight in voluntary counseling and testing, and decentralization of HIV quality control to regional laboratories. CDC is supporting the Ministry of Health in developing a national laboratory policy and a laboratory strategic plan, and to develop a calendar for laboratory accreditation.

Blood Transfusion Services

CDC is also helping Mali strengthen its national blood transfusion service in order to scale-up safe blood transfusion centers throughout the country.

HIV/STI Prevention Services

CDC is supporting two non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to develop HIV/STI prevention services for commercial sex workers and their partners, youths, and adolescents. These two NGOs serve as a point-of-entry to the full range of HIV/AIDS services provided in Mali, including free antiretroviral drugs.