Chile

In 2022, Chile continued to expand access to HIV services for all with the Joint Team’s support. Focus group discussions with vulnerable and key populations, including people living with HIV, and people from the LGBTI community helped to identify their needs and barriers to combination HIV prevention services, including stigma and discrimination due to HIV status and sexual orientation. The 57 participants further underscored the need to strengthen access to pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis, post-test counselling and immediate linkage to treatment, and to implement structural interventions to reduce stigma and discrimination (WHO). Besides, a study on acceptance of HIV self-testing in Chile with the participation of 739 people (94.7% self-tested) showed strong approval among key populations and the need to strengthen community-led service delivery to improve uptake and access to this service (WHO).

Through collaboration between the Joint Team and nongovernmental organizations, migrants, refugees, and people from host communities in Santiago and northern regions were sensitized on HIV and received peer support to access HIV services in the national healthcare system (UNHCR).