Empowering the Patient Voice and Optimizing HIV Care in the Middle East

The Middle East is in a critical phase of its regional human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) response. Infections continue to rise at an alarming rate, and there are significant challenges that hinder the delivery of effective HIV care, such as stigma, lack of awareness, and inadequate access to prevention, testing, and management services. Stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV are pervasive and exacerbated by misinformation. This often impedes linkage to care, thereby promoting the spread of the virus and leading to worsened public health outcomes. There is an urgent need to elevate the patient voice in the context of HIV care in the region, to humanize the epidemic and combat stigma and misinformation. Additionally, the role of patient advocacy groups in the region should be expanded, and various stakeholders, including policymakers and healthcare authorities, should be engaged to optimize the HIV care pathway. We present 15 recommendations aimed at different stakeholders to help achieve these crucial objectives.