HIV care suffers under Senegal anti-gay law - The Lancet
World Report Volume 408, Issue 10554 p505 August 08, 2026
The introduction of harsh penalties for same-sex relations has created a climate of fear that is severely disrupting HIV services.
Patients have been left living in fear and others have gone to neighbouring countries such as The Gambia and Morocco.
Community health workers who were engaged in HIV testing, treatment, and prevention services, such as distribution of condoms, HIV-preventive pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication, and monitoring patients, have been arrested. “The laws are incompatible with public health and human rights. Decriminalisation, competent and adequate health services, and measures against stigma and discrimination are the only sustainable ways out”, he said.
Senegal's HIV response has already been weakened by US funding cuts on international assistance that came into force in January, 2025. The HIV prevalence among men who have sex with men is estimated to be 27·6%, compared with 0·5% in the general population.
“Denying people health rights, regardless of their behaviour, drives people underground and does not improve public health”, Beyrer told The Lancet.