Organization: African Centre for Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CAREP) University of Lomé
Region: Africa
Nationality: Cameroon
Country: Togo
Interests & expertise: Ageing with HIV
Profession or occupation: Physician (medical doctor/paediatrician/public health adviser)
What inspires you to work in the HIV field?
I was initially intrigued that despite the efforts made in the response, the HIV pandemic was still not being eliminated and new acquisitions were occurring every year. Moreover, the pandemic was concentrated in specific groups. My mentor had a project with a key population and he involved me in this project. Since then, I have been particularly interested in key and vulnerable populations.
What are your goals as an IAS change maker?
My inspiration is removing barriers to HIV testing in Togo and ensuring that the most vulnerable people have access to sexual and reproductive health services, which are already free in Togo, but only available in health facilities where a fringe of the population do not have access. The idea is to eventually bring these services to the most vulnerable or at least ensure a sustainable link between these populations and the health services by incorporating services that specifically target them.