HIV test kit shortage reported, threatening continuity of the fight against the virus

A shortage of rapid HIV test kits has been reported in some public health facilities, with citizens and health professionals noting difficulties in accessing them. While no official response has been received from the Association for the Fight Against AIDS or the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, the situation could delay diagnosis and impact early patient care, potentially undermining the health system's ability to combat HIV/AIDS and meet UN commitments to end the epidemic by 2030. Industry professionals suggest the scarcity is due to supply delays, procurement constraints, or logistical challenges. A source close to the matter indicated that an invitation to tender for HIV test kits was launched in October 2025, and the process is still ongoing, which might explain the supply variations. The possibility of a direct agreement with companies for test provision has also been mentioned, though unconfirmed. The country's reliance on the international market for test supplies is also highlighted as a contributing factor, raising questions about health sovereignty and local production capacity. Immunologist Karim Zaher, founder of Gigalab, which developed an HIV rapid test manufactured in Morocco and distributed in several African countries, stated his laboratory has kits ready for deployment. Dr. Tayeb Hamdi, a physician and researcher in health policies and systems, emphasized the importance of testing for the HIV response, noting that Morocco has made significant progr